Ghibli Trend and Treasure of Image Information

Recently, a new trend has taken the internet by storm, called "Ghibli." This technology transforms ordinary images into an animated style inspired by the Japanese Studio Ghibli. The technology relies on artificial intelligence models that redraw images in a specific style, opening the door to deeper questions about the importance of digital images in artificial intelligence and their role in shaping future technologies.

Images are no longer just digital memories or a means of visual communication. They have become one of the most important data sources that artificial intelligence relies on to develop its capabilities, especially in the field of image processing and facial recognition. Modern models require massive amounts of high-quality, high-resolution images with a variety of lighting, angles, and expressions to achieve performance close to human perception. The more diverse and accurate the data, the more sophisticated the ability of intelligent systems to understand and analyze images.

Apps like Jeebly rely on advanced technologies like deep learning and generative neural networks, which require massive datasets of images to learn color patterns, fonts, and stylistic details. However, this trend raises further questions about privacy and the unauthorized use of image data, especially with the rise of deepfake technology and its increasing ability to manipulate faces and visual information. These technologies are capable of creating fake images that appear completely real, raising concerns about digital security and the potential for images to be used for fraud or misleading purposes.

"Our faces under the microscope of artificial intelligence"

Faces, in particular, are becoming the new gold standard in the world of artificial intelligence. They are used in many fields, such as identity recognition, sentiment analysis, and the generation of realistic digital characters. However, not any image is suitable for this purpose. Smart systems require high-quality images with clear angles and balanced lighting to extract the subtle features of the face. Therefore, these applications sometimes ask us to attach certain specifications to our photos, such as the color of the background of the image, its dimensions, or the distance between the camera (usually a mobile phone) and our faces.

In many countries, this data is strictly regulated to protect privacy. Laws prohibit the use of images without the permission of their owners, even in training AI models. However, in our countries, there is still a significant gap in awareness about the importance of images as a source of data and how they can be used in ways some may not expect. They upload their images to online platforms without realizing that these images may be used to train AI systems without their knowledge, and may be used in other areas, such as advertising, research, or even for security purposes, without any control from them.

Today, artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it has become a major factor in shaping the future. It relies primarily on the data we generate daily, without realizing it. However, a large part of the debate in our Arab and Islamic societies about artificial intelligence revolves around fatwas related to its use, such as "Is image editing permissible or forbidden?" This reflects the extent of the gap between us and the world in dealing with technology. Instead of focusing on developing these technologies and understanding their dimensions and economic and social impacts, we have begun to discuss their legitimacy as if we were merely consumers of this technology, not part of its creation or direction.

As countries race to develop advanced AI models, we find ourselves on the sidelines, consuming technologies without being part of their creation. Meanwhile, major tech companies treat images as the digital gold of the future. Our culture around digital data remains weak and unorganized, and without a true awareness of the value of images as a source of knowledge and scientific development, we will remain far behind.

The Ghibli trend and other AI-based trends are not just passing entertainment trends, but rather signals of deeper shifts in how we interact with technology and digital data. The real question we need to ask is not whether these technologies are halal or haram, but how we can be part of their development and control their future, and how we can use them to our advantage rather than being passive consumers.

Written by: Abdul Rahman Al-Khatib - Artificial Intelligence Specialist