Sora Video App by OpenAI Reaches 1 Million Downloads, Surpassing ChatGPT
OpenAI’s Sora Video App has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 1 million downloads within just five days of its launch. This rapid growth outpaced that of ChatGPT during its initial release.
Sora App Overview
The Sora app allows users to create ten-second long, realistic videos from simple text prompts. Currently, it is available exclusively to invited users in North America and has dominated the Apple App Store charts in the United States.
Rapid Adoption and User Engagement
- 1 million downloads in less than five days.
- Topped Apple App Store charts in the US.
- Enables video posting to popular social media platforms.
Despite this unparalleled growth, the app faces backlash for its handling of copyrighted material, especially concerning the likeness of deceased public figures. Notably, videos featuring renowned figures like Michael Jackson and Robin Williams’s daughter, Zelda Williams, have drawn significant criticism. Zelda requested users to refrain from sending AI-generated content of her father, highlighting the emotional impact of such depictions.
Response to Criticism
In addressing these concerns, an OpenAI representative stated that there are “strong free speech interests” regarding the depiction of historical figures. However, the guidelines allow authorized individuals to request the exclusion of recently deceased public figures from AI-generated content.
Many Sora videos also include recognizable characters from films, games, and television. One notable deepfake presented Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, interacting humorously with Pokémon characters. This instance raises questions about copyright implications, especially from companies like Nintendo, which have not yet indicated plans for legal action against these usages.
Legal Context and OpenAI’s Future Plans
The legal landscape poses challenges for companies engaged in generative AI. For instance, Anthropic recently settled a class action lawsuit for $1.5 billion over unauthorized use of authors’ works in training AI models. In light of these challenges, OpenAI is adapting its approach toward copyright issues.
On October 4, Altman mentioned that the company is learning from user feedback and is exploring ways to provide rights holders more control regarding character generation. Future plans may also involve some form of revenue-sharing with creators.
The question remains whether rights holders will accept Sora-generated videos as a new form of “interactive fan fiction,” as Altman suggests. Alternatively, the app could face significant legal scrutiny in the near future.
