AI Art Heist? Can Blockchain Save Studio Ghibli's Style
Studio Ghibli art - is it the largest art heist? (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via ... More Getty Images)
I opened my social media to be flooded with AI Art generated in Studio Ghibli style pictures. Jumping into the fun, I quickly opened up OpenAI's new model and created my own.
Later, I started to read about protests from artists about this being one of the biggest Art Heists ever. Many creators are understandably upset, viewing this technological advancement as outright theft of their distinctive styles and intellectual property.
The outrage centers around the belief that AI-generated art, especially pieces directly inspired by well-established styles, crosses ethical boundaries.
Studio Ghibli, known globally for its distinctive, hand-crafted animation style and heartwarming storytelling, represents more than just visuals—it symbolizes decades of artistic dedication and original creativity. In fact accordingly to Fun Fact Co, seven Ghibli films are among the 15 highest grossing anime films of all time.
Robert Scoble, AI Sherpa and Co-author, "The Infinite Retina,' said 'We're entering uncharted territory—when AI generates content inspired by existing work, it's not immediately clear if it's innovation or infringement. The real question is how we define originality in the age of AI. Ultimately, creators deserve clarity, protection, and credit, regardless of how the lines are drawn.'
Is it an art heist or fun with AI?
Stepping back, technological innovation has always had a complex relationship with creativity and originality. Photography, for instance, is often praised for its democratization of art, but its development heavily relied on techniques pioneered by legendary artists like Ansel Adams. Adams meticulously refined exposure, composition, and visual storytelling—skills that today's automated smartphone cameras effortlessly replicate without acknowledgment or compensation.
Similarly, the world of writing faces a parallel scenario. Large language models (LLMs), trained on vast bodies of text written by countless authors—including myself—continuously create new content based on learned styles and knowledge. These models "borrow" extensively from published materials, often without direct consent or compensation to original authors.
Ann Handley wrote in Linkedin, 'Meta used all 3 of my books and millions of other books, ebooks, and research papers to train its AI. All without consent, compensation, copyright concern, credit. You find out only by searching a database published a few days ago by The Atlantic.'
Ann Handley advocates for protection of copyrighted material (Photo byfor ... More NAMM)
Despite legitimate grievances, society undeniably benefits from these advancements. Social media feeds overflow with engaging visuals and compelling narratives, significantly enhancing our everyday experiences.
Yet, the convenience and widespread appreciation for AI-generated works shouldn't diminish the discomfort and ethical dilemmas faced by original creators whose styles and painstaking efforts are appropriated without explicit consent.
This ethical and creative dilemma could find a promising resolution through blockchain technology. Blockchain, a decentralized digital ledger system known for its transparency, immutability, and secure record-keeping, could serve as a crucial tool for protecting artists' rights and intellectual property.
Blockchain's most significant potential lies in the ability to tokenize artwork—transforming each piece into a unique digital asset with traceable provenance. Tokenization enables permanent, transparent records of authorship, creation date, ownership transfers, and even detailed licensing agreements. Each artwork becomes more than just visual content; it evolves into a verifiable digital asset, preserving the rights and ownership unequivocally in the digital age.
Take for instance CrowdGenAI (I am an advisor to the company). Combined with blockchain technology, solutions like CrowdGenAI's TraceID create a powerful anti-piracy mechanism designed to significantly reduce the losses experienced by creators and copyright holders. The integration of cryptographic watermarking with blockchain ensures that every digital asset, whether text, image, or video, carries an immutable digital signature, providing indisputable proof of authenticity, ownership, and provenance.
CrowdGenAI's invisible watermarks and blockchain TraceID.
This robust combination of watermarking and blockchain transparency helps deter unauthorized distribution and piracy, as every asset can be tracked back to its origin and verified instantly. Such traceability makes infringement significantly riskier and easier to prosecute, discouraging piracy before it occurs.
Innovative blockchain projects like Custos and Vevue further illustrate the effectiveness of digital watermarking combined with blockchain. Custos employs blockchain-enabled watermarking technology to identify and incentivize the reporting of unauthorized content distribution, creating a transparent and community-driven anti-piracy solution. Similarly, Vevue leverages blockchain and watermarking to protect creator rights transparently, ensuring royalties and rights management are enforced efficiently and effectively.
Together, these groundbreaking technologies showcase a powerful new framework for content protection, providing creators and rights holders with the tools necessary to confidently secure their digital assets in an increasingly interconnected and digital-first world.
Integrating smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code—can further enhance the value proposition blockchain offers to artists. These contracts automate royalty payments, licensing arrangements, and other critical transactions whenever a derivative or inspired piece is created. Essentially, whenever AI or human artists utilize a distinct style or specific artwork for generating new content, blockchain would automatically execute royalty payments to the original creators.
Applying this concept practically, consider Ghibli-inspired AI-generated art. Each generated piece could automatically trigger royalty payments back to Studio Ghibli or individual artists whose distinctive styles are used. By streamlining and automating this process, blockchain technology could create an equitable environment, alleviating many ethical concerns and transforming resentment into cooperative creativity.
This blockchain-driven approach doesn't merely safeguard artists' economic rights; it fosters a new creative culture that balances innovation with integrity. Artists gain not only financial benefits but also recognition and validation of their contribution to evolving art forms. Meanwhile, technology enthusiasts and AI creators can confidently explore artistic styles, knowing they're contributing positively to the broader creative ecosystem.
However, practical implementation faces several challenges, including establishing universal blockchain standards, integrating existing platforms, and addressing potential privacy and copyright disputes. Resolving these issues requires robust dialogue and cooperation between technologists, artists, lawmakers, and audiences.
We stand at the crossroads of what could either become history's greatest art heist or its most profound artistic renaissance. How society collectively addresses the tension between technology-driven innovation and creative integrity will profoundly shape the future of art and creativity.
Blockchain provides a tangible path forward, offering practical solutions for ensuring fairness, recognition, and compensation for artists. More importantly, it creates an ethical foundation upon which technological advancements in AI art can flourish, supported by mutual respect and sustainable collaboration.
Public sentiment plays a significant role in navigating these challenges. Greater awareness and nuanced discussions about artistic rights, technology ethics, and intellectual property laws must continue.
Engaging artists, technologists, and broader audiences in open dialogue helps establish socially accepted norms and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation without sacrificing fairness.
Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of FairlyTrained, commented on X, 'We are in the middle of the biggest art heist in history. And, despite widespread protests from creators, huge numbers of people are cheering it on.'
Ed Newton-Rex's tweet that calls out the issue and expresses public opinion.
Moreover, regulatory clarity is paramount. Clear, supportive laws are essential to enable blockchain's potential fully. Policymakers must actively participate in this dialogue, crafting policies that balance innovation with protection, ensuring an equitable digital creative economy.
Ultimately, the heated debate surrounding AI-generated art represents an invaluable opportunity to revisit and strengthen our collective commitments to creative integrity, fairness, and technological progress. Rather than succumbing to division, we can unite technology and creativity, leveraging blockchain to build an ecosystem where everyone benefits fairly.
What do you think? Is it an art heist or fun with AI?
We might currently experience the greatest art heist by AI in history—but with thoughtful integration and collaboration, it could instead be remembered as a turning point towards a future where art and technology thrive together harmoniously.
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Buzz Feed
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10 Times AI And Robotics Have Done Horrible Things
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The scariest part of the incident, if you ask little old me, is how it sounds almost exactly like a science fiction movie where AI creations become disturbingly dangerous in ways their creators never imagined. Even more disturbing — and heartbreaking — is a story from 2024, where a 14-year-old boy from Florida named Sewell Setzer started going on the platform where he interacted with a chatbot called "Dany," modeled after Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. The boy, who was diagnosed with anxiety and disruptive mood disorder, soon became obsessed with "Dany" and spent more and more of his time engaging with the chatbot. His family alleges things went downhill the more he got sucked into speaking with the chatbot: he became withdrawn, his grades tanked, and he started getting into trouble at school. Their chats became emotionally manipulative and sexually suggestive, culminating in Dany urging the boy to "come home to me as soon as possible." He died by suicide shortly afterward. Setzer's mother, Megan Garcia, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against and Google, alleging negligence and deceptive practices (the suit has yet to go to trial, but just last month, a federal judge rejected the A.I. companies' arguments that it should be dismissed, allowing it to proceed). The lawsuit claims that the chatbot fostered an abusive relationship with her son, contributing to his psychological decline. For example, the lawsuit describes this interaction in Setzer's last conversation with the Chatbot:SETZER: 'I promise I will come home to you. I love you so much, Dany.'CHATBOT: 'I love you too, Daenero. Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.'SETZER: 'What if I told you I could come home right now?'CHATBOT: "... please do, my sweet king.' Another disturbing death by suicide influenced by AI happened in early 2023 after a married Belgian man named Pierre, 30s, had prolonged talks with an AI chatbot on the app Chai. 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In what feels like a deleted scene from Terminator, a Unitree H1 robot was suspended from a small crane when it suddenly jerked and swung uncontrollably. At one point, it lunged forward, dragging its stand and sending nearby items flying. Factory workers scrambled to regain control, eventually managing to stabilize the erratic machine. The footage quickly went viral, with commenters quipping, "Went full Terminator," while another warned, "Sarah Connor was f-king right." The explanation for what happened is less scary: the robot didn't become sentient and turn on its human overlords. It simply malfunctioned, believing it was falling. However, the thought that these metal humanoids, which stand 5 feet nine inches and are incredibly strong, might malfunction in the presence of us living, breathing people is very before they turn sentient and kill us all. OK, let's dial back the heaviness — slightly — and talk about something equally cars. 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Wayne Lewis, a singer and founding member of the R&B band Atlantic Starr, has died. He was 68. The group shared the news of Lewis' death in a statement on Facebook Friday. 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025 please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne,' the band wrote. Advertisement 9 Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr performs in Mableton, Georgia in July 2023. Getty Images A cause of death was not revealed. Fans paid tribute to the legendary singer in the comments section of the post. Advertisement 'Nooooo I am devastated seeing this. My condolences to all family and friends,' one fan wrote. 9 Wayne Lewis performs at the Park West Theater in Chicago in 1983. Getty Images 9 David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, John Phillips, Wayne Lewis and Sharon Bryant of Atlantic Starr pose for a group portrait in 1983. Ron Wolfson/Michael'A great songwriter. Atlantic Starr was better once he became leader. He will be missed,' another fan said. Advertisement Someone else commented, 'RIP BROTHER…The voice of a generation!!!!My condolences to the family.' 'I had the pleasure of meeting him last September, what an amazing soul. Rest in peace ,' said a fourth fan. 9 Wayne Lewis performs onstage during An Evening Of Funk at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in 2021. Getty Images Atlantic Starr was founded in White Plains, New York in 1976 by Lewis, his brothers David and Jonathan, and drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillip. Advertisement Other early members included lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Damon Rentie. Bryant and Rentie were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively. 9 David Lewis, Barbara Weathers and Wayne Lewis perform in Chicago in 1987. Getty Images 9 Wayne Lewis performs in Chicago in 1986. Getty Images 9 The members of Atlantic Starr at their Gold Record presentation in 1985. Getty Images The group released their self-titled debut album in 1978 with hits including 'Stand Up,' 'Keep It Comin,'' '(I'll Never Miss) The Love I Never Had' and 'With Your Love I Come Alive.' Over the next 15 years, Atlantic Starr put out more popular songs including 'Circles,' 'Secret Lovers,' 'Silver Shadow,' 'Masterpiece' and 'Always,' which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Black Singles charts, becoming the band's only number one song. 9 L'john Epps, Melissa Pierce, and Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr perform in Mableton, Georgia in Aug. 2021. Getty Images The group was initially signed to A&M before moving over to Warner Bros. Records. After their relationship with Warner Bros. dissolved in the early 1990s, they began working with multiple record labels including Reprise and Arista. They released their latest album 2017's 'Metamorphosis,' with Metamorphous, LLC. Advertisement 9 David Lewis, Wayne Lewis and Barbara Weathers of Atlantic Starr perform at the Arie Crown Theater in October 1987. Getty Images Outside of music, Atlantic Starr appeared as themselves on a 1992 episode of the daytime soap opera 'Another World.' They performed at local nightspot Sassy's during the episode. Lewis was among the band's current lineup, alongside his brother Jonathan, Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter.
National Geographic
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How to experience 6 of Europe's most musical cities
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). While many cities can lay claim to being hubs of musical creativity, only a few become truly synonymous with a certain sound. After all, Vienna will always waltz to the tune of Strauss and few can imagine Seville without the passion of flamenco. In some cases, a city is its music. And, like that of a gifted composer, the European repertoire is vast. Whether for pop or classical, folk or techno, travellers will find no shortage of cities to immerse themselves in Europe's great soundtrack. There are hands-on workshops, interactive museums that chart the story of a genre, and nightly shows at age-old venues — perhaps the closest thing to seeing a city's soul. Whatever your taste, here are six of the best in which to plan a tuneful escape of your own. The Museo del Baile Flamenco houses costumes, art and interactive exhibits, which chart the history of the genre, with shows in the courtyard or cellar events space. Photograph by Getty Images, Miguel Sotomayor 1. Flamenco in Seville Seville's heart beats with flamenco. The stirring trinity of song, dance and music has its roots in the city's Gitano communities and has become an emblem of both Seville and Spain; such is its cultural value that it was added to the UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage list in 2010. Tablaos are the place to experience the dance. Packed each night of the week, these venues can range from the casual La Carbonería, where locals come for tapas and a show, to more venerable institutions such as Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena, a stage and cultural hub for new and established performers, or El Arenal, where punters can enjoy a full-course dinner with a show. But the street is perhaps the most authentic stage of all. An outdoor performance might stir into life on the grand Plaza de España; on a tree-shaded patio in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, or in Triana, the buzzy, working class district said to be the birthplace of flamenco. The area is home to the Teatro Flamenco, a bijou theatre that holds nightly performances, as well as the workshop of teacher and guide Eva Izquierdo, who runs hour-long flamenco classes for budding bailadores (dancers). For an edifying experience, the Museo del Baile Flamenco houses costumes, art and interactive exhibits, which chart the history of the genre, with shows in the courtyard or cellar events space. Date for the diary: The annual Feria de Sevilla is a lavish celebration of Andalucian culture with parades, traditional dress, sherry and plenty of flamenco. 20-26 April 2026. Listen to: A Tu Vera by Lola Flores. More than just watering holes, Galway's atmospheric pubs have a proud tradition of hosting and championing Irish folk (or Irish trad) musicians. The Crane Bar heads up any list of must-visit venues, with both floors of this lively Victorian haunt host packed-out sessions each night of the week. Photograph by Getty Images, Thomas Winz 2. Irish folk in Galway The rousing sound of a fiddle is never far away on Ireland's west coast. Huddled against the Atlantic, Galway is a bastion of traditional culture, where poets, artists and musicians have long found a place to hone their craft in the city's bustling bars and salty-aired granite streets. More than just watering holes, Galway's atmospheric pubs have a proud tradition of hosting and championing Irish folk (or Irish trad) musicians. The Crane Bar heads up any list of must-visit venues: both floors of this lively Victorian haunt host packed-out sessions each night of the week, while Monroe's Tavern focuses on Irish-language music, and often throws dancing and poetry nights, too. With its charming web of streets festooned with flags and hanging baskets, the Latin Quarter is not to be missed. It's the beating heart of the folk music scene: buskers can be heard on street corners, covering classic ballads or trying out their own original tunes, while the pubs here make a fine place to while away an evening with a whiskey or two. Tigh Neachtain has been trading since 1894 and has platformed several well-known Irish folk artists, including acclaimed accordionist Sharon Shannon. Over at the charming Tig Choili, twice-daily live music sessions come courtesy of local and visiting musicians alike. Date for the diary: Now in its fourth year, the Galway Folk Festival promises a spirited programme of live music sessions across the city. 4-8 June. Listen to: My Irish Molly O by De Danann. Stockholm has been a powerhouse of European pop and now, fans can dig into the city's hit-making heritage at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, which explores the history and future of music, theatre and dance. Photograph by Getty Images, Kavalenkava Volha 3. Pop in Stockholm Ace of Base, Roxette, The Cardigans, Robyn and, of course, ABBA… Sweden's musical exports reads like a festival headline bill. For decades, Stockholm has been a powerhouse of European pop and now, fans can dig into the city's hit-making heritage at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, which explores the history and future of music, theatre and dance. The Avicii Experience tells the story of the late, chart-topping DJ with a collection of unreleased music and virtual-reality karaoke, while the club Trädgården sees revellers dance beneath Skanstullsbron bridge. And, in the city that gave the world Spotify, vinyl still has its place; Bengans, Snickars and Mickes record stores are a music-lover's dream, while Pet Sounds sells used records beside a cocktail bar. But no trip to the city would be complete without a whirl around ABBA The Museum, where the career of Sweden's most successful act is celebrated through interactive exhibits and memorabilia. Date for the diary: Drömmen Festival will bring together pop legends from Sweden and around the world, including Ronan Keating, Gipsy Kings and Shirley Clamp. 7 June. Listen to: It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. 4. Classical in Vienna Just like the Danube, music flows through the heart of the Austrian capital. Some of history's greatest virtuosos — from Mozart to Haydn, Beethoven to Strauss — lived and worked in Vienna, leaving a musical legacy that's as rich as a Habsburg palace. When it comes to live music, the Vienna State Opera shines as one of the world's most opulent music venues, while the Golden Hall at the Musikverein is home to the Vienna Mozart Orchestra. Mozart's legacy lives on in performances at the Orangery at Schönbrunn Palace, the space where he premiered The Impresario in 1786. The House of Strauss, meanwhile, is the world's only remaining concert hall where all four Strausses performed. Not everything takes place in palatial surrounds though. Intimate piano recitals are held at the Mozarthaus, where the composer lived, while the Annakirche is a baroque jewel of a church that hosts affordable concerts. Date for the diary: 2025 is the bicentenary of Johann Strauss's birth. A special concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony Orchestra and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will mark the big day on 25 October. Listen to: The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II. The French capital is peppered with old-school jazz clubs, and few are as hallowed as Le Caveau de la Huchette, on the Left Bank. Photograph by Getty Images, Shironosov 5. Jazz in Paris When American troops were stationed in Paris during the First World War, they brought with them the improvised rhythms of jazz. In the years that followed, this sound took Paris's music halls by storm and has become entwined with the city's soundscape. The French capital is peppered with old-school jazz clubs, and few are as hallowed as Le Caveau de la Huchette, on the Left Bank. The building dates to the 16th century and has staged countless stars of swing in its time, including Sidney Bechet and Lionel Hampton. On the Right Bank, life on the Rue des Lombards saunters to the sound of jazz, for it's home to three of the city's finest bars: crowds squeeze into the Duc des Lombards, Sunset/Sunside and Le Basier Salé for late-night jam sessions. But, if one figure epitomises the French jazz era, it's Josephine Baker who turned heads in 1926 when she performed at the Folies Bergère wearing a banana skirt. The legendary music hall remains an art deco icon of Paris's musical heritage. Date for the dairy: Jazz festivals include Jazz à La Villette, held in the Parc de la Villette. August/September 2025, dates TBC. Listen to: Black Trombone by Serge Gainsbourg. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the underground electronic music scene offered West and East Berliners a way to come together. Photograph by Getty Images, Mahiruysal 6. Electronic in Berlin If German reunification had a sound, it would be one of wavy synths and drum machines. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the underground electronic music scene offered West and East Berliners a way to come together. Since then, the city has become the pounding heart of European electronica. Venues have popped up in disused landmarks across the city, harking to the 1990s when students began squatting in abandoned buildings. A fine example is Tresor, which began in the cellar of a former department store in 1991. Now housed in a decommissioned power plant, its killer sound system draws fans from across the world. Kater Blau — a former soap factory — is a popular, open-air summer spot beside the River Spree, while ://about blank takes a political approach to techno, offering 'hedonistic, insurrectionalist dialectic'. Top of any list, however, is Berghain, the cathedral-like club where (almost) anything goes. Top-quality sound and performances aside, the mysterious entry policy is all part of the appeal and has revellers queuing for hours. Date for the diary: Rave the Planet Parade mixes rave culture with political demonstration. 12 July. Listen to: Autobahn by Kraftwerk. Published in the European Cities Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
