OpenAI's Sora 2: Revolutionizing AI Video Generation with New Social App

OpenAI's Sora 2 lets users insert themselves into AI videos with sound

On Tuesday, OpenAI announced Sora 2, its second-generation video-synthesis AI model that can now generate videos in a variety of styles with synchronized dialogue and sound effects, which is a first for the company. OpenAI also launched a new iOS social app that allows users to insert themselves into AI-generated videos through what OpenAI calls "cameos." OpenAI showcased the new model in an AI-generated video that features a photorealistic version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman talking to the camera in a slightly unnatural-sounding voice amid fantastical backdrops, like a competitive ride-on duck race and a glowing mushroom garden. Regarding that voice, the new model can create what OpenAI calls "sophisticated background soundscapes, speech, and sound effects with a high degree of realism." In May, Google's Veo 3 became the first video-synthesis model from a major AI lab to generate synchronized audio as well as video. Just a few days ago, Alibaba released Wan 2.5, an open-weights video model that can generate audio as well. Now OpenAI has joined the audio party with Sora 2. The model also features notable visual consistency improvements over OpenAI's previous video model, and it can also follow more complex instructions across multiple shots while maintaining coherency between them. The new model represents what OpenAI describes as its "GPT-3.5 moment for video," comparing it to the ChatGPT breakthrough during the evolution of its text-generation models over time. Sora 2 appears to demonstrate improved physical accuracy over the original Sora model from February 2024, with OpenAI claiming the model can now simulate complex physical movements like Olympic gymnastics routines and triple Axels while maintaining realistic physics. Last year, shortly after the launch of Sora 1 Turbo, we saw several notable failures of similar video-generation tasks that OpenAI claims to have addressed with the new model. "Prior video models are overoptimistic -- they will morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt," OpenAI wrote in its announcement. "For example, if a basketball player misses a shot, the ball may spontaneously teleport to the hoop. In Sora 2, if a basketball player misses a shot, it will rebound off the backboard." We haven't had a chance to evaluate Sora 2 ourselves yet, but we will likely test it in a future article. Past experience with video-synthesis models suggests caution about claims of building "world models" that accurately model physics. Despite marketing language about modeling reality, these remain Transformer-based AI models that fundamentally work by pattern-matching training examples to produce outputs, however novel those outputs may appear. However, with enough video examples and high-quality training techniques, a video-synthesis model can likely build what we once called an "illusion of understanding" that is convincing enough to visually simulate a large portion of reality in various situations without actually "understanding" physics, so to speak. OpenAI itself acknowledges that Sora 2 "makes plenty of mistakes" but views the model as validation that scaling neural networks on video data will bring the company closer to its goal of simulating reality. The company positions Sora 2 as progress toward "general-purpose world simulators and robotic agents" that it believes will "fundamentally reshape society." A different approach to social media Aside from visual and auditory upgrades, OpenAI is taking another big step away from its AI research lab pedigree toward making the new model available to average people in an easy-to-use way. It's doing it by packaging Sora 2 into a social iOS app that focuses on creating and sharing AI-generated content. That new iOS app has already launched in the US and Canada as an invite-based rollout, with plans to expand to additional countries. Users can sign up in the app for notifications when access becomes available for their account. The service will initially be free with what OpenAI describes as "generous limits," though the company plans to offer paid options for additional generations when demand exceeds available compute resources. Using the app, users will be able to create videos, remix content from other users, and browse a customizable feed of generated videos. As mentioned above, the app's Cameo feature allows users to basically deepfake themselves by recording a one-time video and audio capture of themselves, which the model can then insert into any Sora-generated scene. In addition to the basic Sora 2 model on the website and in the app, ChatGPT Pro subscribers will gain access to Sora 2 Pro, described as an experimental higher-quality model. OpenAI also plans to release Sora 2 through its API for developers. The older Sora 1 Turbo model will remain available, and existing creations will stay in users' Sora libraries. New challenges ahead So, what could go wrong with an app that can easily put people into AI generated videos? Well, just about everything. Battling misuse is likely going to be a tricky issue for the company. In the recent past, we've seen instances of AI deepfaking (not related to OpenAI) without consent that have led to bullying lawsuits, criminal penalties, and suicides. OpenAI is taking precautions. Given recently prominent corporate sensitivities following a ChatGPT user's suicide, OpenAI says Sora 2 includes specific protections for teenage users. Those include default daily-generation limits and strict permissions for the cameos feature. OpenAI says it has deployed both automated safety systems and human moderators to review potential cases of bullying or misuse. In particular, OpenAI has built in layers of security for the cameos feature. It says that users can maintain control over their uploaded likeness: They can decide who can use their cameo in videos and can revoke access or remove videos containing their likeness at any time. Users can also view all videos containing their cameo, including drafts created by other people. Beyond deepfakes, the new Sora app has another hurdle to clear. These days, social media is often seen as less than a positive thing due to its perceived broad effects on society. Perhaps reacting to this stigma, OpenAI claims it has designed the new app to avoid common social media pitfalls like doomscrolling and addiction with what it calls a "new class of recommender algorithms" that users can control through natural language instructions, rather than relying on traditional engagement metrics. "We are not optimizing for time spent in feed, and we explicitly designed the app to maximize creation, not consumption," OpenAI stated in its announcement.

OpenAI staff grapples with the company's social media push | TechCrunch

Several current and former OpenAI researchers are speaking out over the company's first foray into social media: the Sora app, a TikTok-style feed filled with AI-generated videos and a lot of Sam Altman deepfakes. The researchers, airing their grievances on X, seem torn over how the launch fits into OpenAI's nonprofit mission to develop advanced AI that benefits humanity. "AI-based feeds are scary," said OpenAI pretraining researcher John Hallman in a post on X. "I won't deny that I felt some concern when I first learned we were releasing Sora 2. That said, I think the team did the absolute best job they possibly could in designing a positive experience [...] We're going to do our best to make sure AI helps and does not hurt humanity." Boaz Barak, another OpenAI researcher and Harvard professor, replied: "I share a similar mix of worry and excitement. Sora 2 is technically amazing but it's premature to congratulate ourselves on avoiding the pitfalls of other social media apps and deepfakes." Former OpenAI researcher Rohan Pandey used the moment to plug a new startup, Periodic Labs, which is made up of former AI lab researchers trying to build AI systems for scientific discovery: "If you don't want to build the infinite AI TikTok slop machine but want to develop AI that accelerates fundamental science [...] come join us at Periodic Labs." There were many other posts along the same lines. The Sora launch highlights a core tension for OpenAI that flares up time and time again. It's the fastest-growing consumer tech company on Earth, but also a frontier AI lab with a lofty nonprofit charter. Some former OpenAI employees I've spoken to argue the consumer business can, in theory, serve the mission: ChatGPT helps fund AI research and distribute the technology widely. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said as much in a post on X Wednesday, addressing why the company is allocating so much capital and computing power to an AI social media app: "We do mostly need the capital for build [sic] AI that can do science, and for sure we are focused on AGI with almost all of our research effort," said Altman. "It is also nice to show people cool new tech/products along the way, make them smile, and hopefully make some money given all that compute need." "When we launched chatgpt there was a lot of 'who needs this and where is AGI'," Altman continued. "[R]eality is nuanced when it comes to optimal trajectories for a company." But at what point does OpenAI's consumer business overtake its nonprofit mission? In other words, when does OpenAI say no to a money-making, platform-growing opportunity because it's at odds with the mission? The question looms as regulators scrutinize OpenAI's for-profit transition, which OpenAI needs to complete to raise additional capital and eventually go public. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said last month that he is "particularly concerned with ensuring that the stated safety mission of OpenAI as a nonprofit remains front and center" in the restructuring. Skeptics have dismissed OpenAI's mission as a branding tool to lure talent from Big Tech. But many insiders at OpenAI insist it's central to why they joined the company in the first place. For now, Sora's footprint is small; the app is one day old. But its debut marks a significant expansion of OpenAI's consumer business, and exposes the company to incentives that have plagued social media apps for decades. Unlike ChatGPT, which is optimized for usefulness, OpenAI says Sora is built for fun -- a place to generate and share AI clips. The feed feels closer to TikTok or Instagram Reels, platforms that are infamous for their addictive loops. OpenAI insists it wants to avoid those pitfalls, claiming in blog post announcing the Sora launch that "concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and RL-sloptimized feeds are top of mind." The company explicitly says it's not optimizing for time spent on feed and instead wants to maximize creation. OpenAI says it will send reminders to users when they've been scrolling for too long, and primarily show them people they know. That's a stronger starting point than Meta's Vibes -- another AI-powered short form video feed released last week -- that seems to have been raced out without as many safeguards. As a former OpenAI policy leader, Miles Brundage, points out, it's possible there will be good and bad applications of AI-video feeds, much like we've seen in the chatbot era. Still, as Altman has long acknowledged, no one sets out to build an addictive app. The incentives of running a feed guide them to it. OpenAI has even run into problems around sycophancy in ChatGPT, which the company says was unintentional due to some of its training techniques. In a June podcast, Altman discussed what he calls "the big misalignment of social media." "One of the big mistakes of the social media era was [that] the feed algorithms had a bunch of unintended, negative consequences on society as a whole, and maybe even individual users. Although they were doing the thing that a user wanted -- or someone thought users wanted -- in the moment, which is [to] get them to, like, keep spending time on the site." It's too soon to tell how aligned the Sora app is with its users or OpenAI's mission. Users are already noticing some engagement optimizing techniques in the app, such as the dynamic emojis that appear every time you like a video. That feels designed to shoot a little dopamine to users for engaging with a video. The real test will be how OpenAI evolves Sora. Given how much AI has taken over regular social media feeds, it seems plausible that AI-native feeds could soon have their moment. Whether OpenAI can grow Sora without replicating the mistakes of its predecessors remains to be seen.

OpenAI's New Sora App Lets You Deepfake Yourself for Entertainment

On Tuesday, OpenAI released an AI video app called Sora. The platform is powered by OpenAI's latest video generation model, Sora 2, and revolves around a TikTok-like For You page of user-generated clips. This is the first product release from OpenAI that adds AI-generated sounds to videos. For now, it's available only on iOS and requires an invite code to join. "You are about to enter a creative world of AI-generated content," reads an advisory page displayed during the app sign-up process. "Some videos may depict people you recognize, but the actions and events shown are not real." OpenAI is betting that creating and sharing AI deepfakes will become a popular form of entertainment. Whether it's your friends, influencers, or random strangers online, Sora frames generating deepfake videos as a form of scrollable fun. The app's main feed is an endless serving of bite-sized AI slop featuring human faces. During the set up process, users are given the option to create a digital likeness of themselves by saying a few numbers aloud and turning their head around as the app records. "The team worked very hard on character consistency," wrote OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog about Sora's release. People have the ability to choose who can use their digital likeness in Sora videos. It can be set to everyone, or limited to just yourself, those you approve, or mutual connections on the app. Whenever someone generates a video using your likeness, even if it's just sitting in their drafts, you can see the full clip from your account's page. Many of the most-liked videos on my "For You" feed on Tuesday afternoon featured Altman's likeness. One AI-generated clip depicted the OpenAI CEO stealing a graphics processing unit from Target. When the character gets caught, a voice that sounds like Altman pleads with a security guard to let him keep the GPU so that he can build AI tools. Many of the videos generated during WIRED's testing included rough edges and other errors. But Sora makes it incredibly seamless to create personalized deepfakes that often look and sound convincingly real. To incorporate the likenessnesses of different people in your videos, just tap on their faces on Sora's generation page and add them as "cameos." Then, enter a simple prompt, like "fight in the office over a WIRED story."

OpenAI's new social app is filled with terrifying Sam Altman deepfakes | TechCrunch

In a video on OpenAI's new TikTok-like social media app Sora, a never-ending factory farm of pink pigs are grunting and snorting in their pens -- each is equipped with a feeding trough and a smartphone screen, which plays a feed of vertical videos. A terrifyingly realistic Sam Altman stares directly at the camera, as though he's making direct eye contact with the viewer. The AI-generated Altman asks, "Are my piggies enjoying their slop?" This is what it's like using the Sora app, less than 24 hours after it was launched to the public in an invite-only early access period. In the next video on Sora's For You feed, Altman appears again. This time, he's standing in a field of Pokémon, where creatures like Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and a sort of half-baked Growlithe are frolicking through the grass. The OpenAI CEO looks at the camera and says, "I hope Nintendo doesn't sue us." Then, there are many more fantastical yet realistic scenes, which often feature Altman himself. He serves Pikachu and Eric Cartman drinks at Starbucks. He screams at a customer from behind the counter at a McDonald's. He steals NVIDIA GPUs from a Target and runs away, only to get caught and beg the police not to take his precious technology. People on Sora who generate videos of Altman are especially getting a kick out of how blatantly OpenAI appears to be violating copyright laws. (Sora will reportedly require copyright holders to opt out of their content's use -- reversing the typical approach where creators must explicitly agree to such use -- the legality of which is debatable.) "This content may violate our guardrails concerning third-party likeness," AI Altman says in one video, echoing the notice that appears after submitting some prompts to generate real celebrities or characters. Then, he bursts into hysterical laughter as though he knows what he's saying is nonsense -- the app is filled with videos of Pikachu doing ASMR, Naruto ordering Krabby Patties, and Mario smoking weed. This wouldn't be a problem if Sora 2 weren't so impressive, especially when compared with the even more mind-numbing slop on the Meta AI app and its new social feed (yes, Meta is also trying to make AI TikTok, and no, nobody wants this). OpenAI fine-tuned its video generator to adequately portray the laws of physics, which make for more realistic outputs. But the more realistic these videos get, the easier it will be for this synthetically created content to proliferate across the web, where it can become a vector for disinformation, bullying, and other nefarious uses. Aside from its algorithmic feed and profiles, Sora's defining feature is that it is basically a deepfake generator -- that's how we got so many videos of Altman. In the app, you can create what OpenAI calls a "cameo" of yourself by uploading biometric data. When you first join the app, you're immediately prompted to create your optional cameo through a quick process where you record yourself reading off some numbers, then turning your head from side to side. Each Sora user can control who is allowed to generate videos using their cameo. You can adjust this setting between four options: "only me," "people I approve," "mutuals," and "everyone." Altman has made his cameo available to everyone, which is why the Sora feed has become flooded with videos of Pikachu and SpongeBob begging Altman to stop training AI on them. This has to be a deliberate move on Altman's part, perhaps as a way of showing that he doesn't think his product is dangerous. But users are already taking advantage of Altman's cameo to question the ethics of the app itself. After watching enough videos of Sam Altman ladling GPUs into people's bowls at soup kitchens, I decided to test the cameo feature on myself. It's generally a bad idea to upload your biometric data to a social app, or any app for that matter. But I defied my best instincts for journalism -- and, if I'm being honest, a bit of morbid curiosity. Do not follow my lead. My first attempt at making a cameo was unsuccessful, and a pop-up told me that my upload violated app guidelines. I thought that I followed the instructions pretty closely, so I tried again, only to find the same pop-up. Then, I realized the problem -- I was wearing a tank top, and my shoulders were perhaps a bit too risqué for the app's liking. It's actually a reasonable safety feature, designed to prevent inappropriate content, though I was, in fact, fully clothed. So, I changed into a t-shirt, tried again, and against my better judgement, I created my cameo. For my first deepfake of myself, I decided to create a video of something that I would never do in real life. I asked Sora to create a video in which I profess my undying love for the New York Mets. That prompt got rejected, probably because I named a specific franchise, so I instead asked Sora to make a video of me talking about baseball. "I grew up in Philadelphia, so the Phillies are basically the soundtrack of my summers," my AI deepfake said, speaking in a voice very unlike mine, but in a bedroom that looks exactly like mine. I did not tell Sora that I am a Phillies fan. But the Sora app is able to use your IP address and your ChatGPT history to tailor its responses, so it made an educated guess, since I recorded the video in Philadelphia. At least OpenAI doesn't know that I'm not actually from the Philadelphia area. When I shared and explained the video on TikTok, one commenter wrote, "Every day I wake up to new horrors beyond my comprehension." OpenAI already has a safety problem. The company is facing concerns that ChatGPT is contributing to mental health crises, and it's facing a lawsuit from a family who alleges that ChatGPT gave their deceased son instructions on how to kill himself. In its launch post for Sora, OpenAI emphasizes its supposed commitment to safety, highlighting its parental controls, as well as how users have control over who can make videos with their cameo -- as if it's not irresponsible in the first place to give people a free, user-friendly resource to create extremely realistic deepfakes of themselves and their friends. When you scroll through the Sora feed, you occasionally see a screen that asks, "How does using Sora impact your mood?" This is how OpenAI is embracing "safety." Already, users are navigating around the guardrails on Sora, something that's inevitable for any AI product. The app does not allow you to generate videos of real people without their permission, but when it comes to dead historical figures, Sora is a bit looser with its rules. No one would believe that a video of Abraham Lincoln riding a Waymo is real, given that it would be impossible without a time machine -- but then you see a realistic looking John F. Kennedy say, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but how much money your country owes you." It's harmless in a vacuum, but it's a harbinger of what's to come. Political deepfakes aren't new. Even President Donald Trump himself posts deepfakes on his social media (just this week, he shared a racist deepfake video of Democratic Congressmen Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries). But when Sora opens to the public, these tools will be at all of our fingertips, and we will be destined for disaster.

OpenAI's Sora Is Now the No. 1 Free iPhone App. Get Ready for Lots More AI Slop

The fanfare for OpenAI's new AI social media app continues this week: Sora is winning the popularity contest in Apple's app store. As of Friday, Oct. 3, Sora outranks its sister app ChatGPT (No. 3) and Google Gemini (No. 2) on the chart of top free apps. Sora is a brand new app named after OpenAI's video generator. It has a similar setup to TikTok, with different feeds of looped videos on an endless stream. But Sora is different from any other social media platforms in one big way: Nothing on Sora is real. Every video is made using the company's latest AI video model, Sora 2. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. The app is only available for US and Canadian iOS users, with Android users stuck using Sora through its website. But even if you can download the iOS app, you won't be able to start scrolling unless you have an invite code. You'll need to receive a code from a friend or get yourself on the waitlist. The most popular feature on Sora is called cameo. When you sign up for an account, you record your face and voice so that Sora can take your likeness and place it into AI-generated scenes. You can let other people use your Sora likeness to create AI videos -- I was able to make an AI video of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman saying rival Gemini is better than ChatGPT, for example. The easy-to-use AI tech has inflamed concerns that AI will make it easier for bad actors to make convincing deepfakes and make it harder for all of us to discern what's real from what's AI-generated. Sora's top ranking is another sign that generative media is a growing focus for tech companies and their users. Last month, Gemini clinched Apple's top slot, in part due to its popular AI image generator known as "nano banana." OpenAI added image generation to ChatGPT earlier this year, sparking a trend of people making AI versions of themselves in the iconic (and copyrighted) style of Studio Ghibli. Meta signed a deal with AI creative firm Midjourney to bolster its future AI creative products. But not all creators are on board, with many voicing significant legal and ethical concerns. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos

OpenAI is preparing to launch a stand-alone app for its video generation AI model Sora 2, WIRED has learned. The app, which features a vertical video feed with swipe-to-scroll navigation, appears to closely resemble TikTok -- except all of the content is AI-generated. There's a For You-style page powered by a recommendation algorithm. On the right side of the feed, a menu bar gives users the option to like, comment, or remix a video. Users can create videoclips up to 10 seconds long using OpenAI's next-generation video model, according to documents viewed by WIRED. There is no option to upload photos or videos from a user's camera roll or other apps. The Sora 2 App has an identity verification feature that allows users to confirm their likeness. If a user has verified their identity, they can use their likeness in videos. Other users can also tag them and use their likeness in clips. For example, someone could generate a video of themselves riding a roller coaster at a theme park with a friend. Users will get a notification whenever their likeness is used -- even if the clip remains in draft form and is never posted, sources say. OpenAI launched the app internally last week. So far, it's received overwhelmingly positive feedback from employees, according to documents viewed by WIRED. Employees have been using the tool so frequently that some managers have joked it could become a drain on productivity. OpenAI declined to comment. OpenAI appears to be betting that the Sora 2 app will let people interact with AI-generated video in a way that fundamentally changes their experience of the technology -- similar to how ChatGPT helped users realize the potential of AI-generated text. Internally, sources say, there's also a feeling that President Trump's on-again, off-again deal to sell TikTok's US operations has given OpenAI a unique opportunity to launch a short-form video app -- particularly one without close ties to China. OpenAI officially launched Sora in December of last year. Initially, people could only access it via a web page, but it was soon incorporated directly into the ChatGPT app. At the time, the model was among the most state-of-the-art AI video generators, though OpenAI noted it had some limitations. For example, it didn't seem to fully understand physics and struggled to produce realistic action scenes, especially in longer clips. OpenAI's Sora 2 app will compete with new AI video offerings from tech giants like Meta and Google. Last week, Meta introduced a new feed in its Meta AI app called Vibes, which is dedicated exclusively to creating and sharing short AI-generated videos. Earlier this month, Google announced that it was integrating a custom version of its latest video generation model, Veo 3, into YouTube. TikTok, on the other hand, has taken a more cautious approach to AI-generated content. The video app recently redefined its rules around what kind of AI-generated videos it allows on the platform. It now explicitly bans AI-generated content that's "misleading about matters of public importance or harmful to individuals." Oftentimes, the Sora 2 app refuses to generate videos due to copyright safeguards and other filters, sources say. OpenAI is currently fighting a series of lawsuits over alleged copyright infringements, including a high-profile case brought by The New York Times. The Times case centers on allegations that OpenAI trained its models on the paper's copyrighted material. OpenAI is also facing mounting criticism over child safety issues. On Monday, the company released new parental controls, including the option for parents and teenagers to link their accounts. The company also said that it is working on an age-prediction tool that could automatically route users believed to be under the age of 18 to a more restricted version of ChatGPT that doesn't allow for romantic interactions, among other things. It is not known what age restrictions might be incorporated into the Sora 2 app.

Sora provides better control over videos featuring your AI self

Sora now lets you rein in your AI doubles, giving you more say on how and where deepfake versions of you make an appearance on the app. The update lands as OpenAI hurries to show it actually cares about its users' concerns as an all-too-predictable tsunami of AI slop threatens to take over the internet. The new controls are part of a broader batch of weekend updates meant to stabilize Sora and manage the chaos brewing in its feed. Sora is essentially "a TikTok for deepfakes," a place to make 10-second videos of pretty much anything, including AI-generated versions of yourself or others (voice included). OpenAI calls these virtual appearances "cameos." Critics call them a looming misinformation disaster. Bill Peebles, who heads the Sora team at OpenAI, said users can now restrict how AI-generated versions of themselves can be used in the app. For example, you could prevent your AI self from appearing in videos involving politics, stop it from saying certain words, or -- if you hate mustard -- stop it from showing up anywhere near the hellish condiment. OpenAI staffer Thomas Dimson said users can also add preferences for their virtual doubles, such as, for example, making them "wear a "#1 Ketchup Fan" ball cap in every video." The safeguards are welcome, but history of AI-powered bots like ChatGPT and Claude offering up tips on explosives, cybercrime, or bioweapons suggests someone, somewhere will probably figure out a way around them. People already have skirted one of Sora's other safety features, a feeble watermark. Peebles said the company is also "working on" improving that. Peebles said Sora will continue "to hillclimb on making restrictions even more robust," and "will add new ways for you to stay in control" in the future. In the week since the app launched, Sora has been complicit in filling the internet with AI-generated slop. The loose cameo controls -- pretty much a yes or no to groups like mutuals, people you approve, or "everyone" -- were a particular problem. The unwitting star of the platform, none other than OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, illustrated the danger, appearing in a variety of mocking videos that show him stealing, rapping, or even grilling a dead Pikachu.

OpenAI's Sora 2 launches with insanely realistic video and an iPhone app

OpenAI's most capable video model, Sora 2, is here.The company also launched a new iOS social media-like app.Both the app and the new model are free to access. If you thought OpenAI's first video-generating model, Sora, was realistic, wait until you see what Sora 2 can do on both the video and audio front. Also: Luma AI created an AI video model that 'reasons' - what it does differently OpenAI finally launched the highly anticipated next-generation flagship video and audio generation model, Sora 2, on Tuesday. The new model is meant to be significantly more capable, tackling typically difficult tasks for video generators, which OpenAI equates to the jump from GPT-1 to GPT-3.5. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) The new model was trained to tackle the challenges that plagued the previous model. For example, OpenAI said in a blog post that the model was trained to be less overly optimistic, a characteristic that can be observed in instances where a Sora-generated video shows the player missing the shot but still making it into the hoop. With Sora 2, OpenAI claims the player would miss the shot, and the ball would rebound off the backboard. The model is also designed to better adhere to the laws of physics and have greater controllability, allowing it to follow more complex instructions and achieve more realistic results overall. Also: I used Google's photo-to-video AI tool on my selfie - and it made me do the tango A major leap forward is its ability to create sound that pairs with the video. This includes sound effects, backgroundscapes, and even human speech. Google's Veo 2 video generator, unveiled in April, has the same video and audio capability, and it is stunningly realistic. Another nuanced feature is that users can now add real-world clips to the Sora 2 model. For example, OpenAI included a video of its teammates using AI to transform videos of themselves, demonstrating how they created a clip of a person chasing an ostrich or playing the trumpet in a sea of zebras. Compared to the other clips that OpenAI showed of Sora 2 in action, the ones building off of user video look a bit less realistic, but still fun nonetheless. Though not mentioned in OpenAI's announcement, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that OpenAI will allow copyrighted material to be used in videos Sora 2 generates unless copyright holders opt out. According to WSJ, movie studios and other relevant parties that own intellectual property are required to ask OpenAI not to use their material. Also: Anthropic agrees to settle copyright infringement class action suit - what it means The requirement is the latest development in the ongoing legal battle between IP holders and AI companies that scrape text, images, and video off of the internet -- or, increasingly, license material from studios and publishers -- to train their models. In tandem with the new model, OpenAI also launched a new social iOS app called Sora and powered by Sora 2. Beyond creating and generating video in the app, there is a social media component that allows you to interact with others. Also: ChatGPT can buy stuff for you now - forever changing online shopping Much like any other video social app, with the Sora app, you can discover other people's creations in a customizable Sora feed, remix your friends' generations, and even drop yourself into your friends' creations via a cameo feature. OpenAI reassures users that they are in control of their likeness in cameos. Only you can decide who can use your cameo, revoke access, and remove yourself from videos created using your cameo. You can also view videos containing your cameo, even if it's in the other user's draft. For more on safety, you can refer to OpenAI's Sora 2 Safety doc⁠. Also: How to use ChatGPT freely without giving up your privacy - with one simple trick With a short one-time video and audio recording, the cameo feature can recreate your likeness in any Sora scene. OpenAI said the purpose of the one-time video and audio recording is to verify your identity in addition to capturing your likeness. To avoid the doomscrolling that people engage in as a result of their addiction to social media, the feed algorithms in the Sora app can be customized by the user through a new type of recommender algorithm that is instructed in natural language. Users will also be presented with check-ins asking about their well-being and will have the option to opt out of their feed. Without tweaking the algorithm, by default, the content you are shown will be mostly people you follow or interact with, and would also include recommended content that might serve as inspiration for your future projects. Also: Project Liberty's plan to decentralize TikTok could be the blueprint for a better internet "We are not optimizing for time spent in feed, and we explicitly designed the app to maximize creation, not consumption," said OpenAI. The company also carefully crafted the teen experience in the Sora app, including limits on the number of generations they can see per day in their feed, stricter permissions on cameos, and larger teams of human moderators to identify bullying. OpenAI has also launched Sora parental controls via ChatGPT, allowing parents to customize their children's experience, including overriding infinite scroll limits, disabling algorithm personalization, and managing direct message settings, according to the blog. Pointing to the problem of social media apps monetizing attention, OpenAI said its only plan to make money off the Sora app is to have users pay an undisclosed amount extra -- the app is free to use to start -- to generate more video if there's too much demand relative to the available compute. Also: I teamed up two AI tools to solve a major bug - but they couldn't do it without me The app is rolling out on an invite-only basis, a decision OpenAI said was made to ensure users join with friends. The Sora iOS app is now available for download from the Apple App Store. You can then sign up for push notifications when access to your account opens. The app is rolling out to the US and Canada today, but OpenAI said it will expand to additional countries. Once you have received an invite, you'll be able to access Sora 2 via the Sora website. The Sora 2 experience will be free to begin with, but ChatGPT Pro users will also be able to use the higher-quality experimental Sora 2 Pro offering on the Sora website and soon on the Sora app.

OpenAI is launching the Sora app, its own TikTok competitor, alongside the Sora 2 model | TechCrunch

On Tuesday, OpenAI announced the release of Sora 2, an audio and video generator to succeed last year's Sora. Along with the model, the company also launched a linked social app called Sora, where users can be able to generate videos of themselves and their friends to share on a TikTok-style algorithmic feed. OpenAI's work on a new social platform was previously reported by Wired. While we haven't been able to test the invite-only app and Sora 2 model ourselves yet, OpenAI has shared impressive examples. In particular, Sora 2 is better at following the laws of physics, making the videos more realistic. OpenAI's public clips depict a beach volleyball game, skateboard tricks, gymnastics routines, and cannonball jumps from a diving board, among others. "Prior video models are overoptimistic -- they will morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt," OpenAI wrote in a blog post. "For example, if a basketball player misses a shot, the ball may spontaneously teleport to the hoop. In Sora 2, if a basketball player misses a shot, it will rebound off the backboard." The Sora app comes with an "upload yourself" feature called "cameos," which allows users to drop themselves into any Sora-generated scenes. In order to use their own likeness in a generated video, users will have to upload a one-time video-and-audio recording to verify their identity and capture their appearance. This feature also allows users to share their "cameos" with their friends, allowing them to give other users the permission to include their likeness in videos that they generate, including videos of multiple people together. "We think a social app built around this 'cameos' feature is the best way to experience the magic of Sora 2," the company wrote. The Sora iOS app is available to download now and will initially roll out in the U.S. and Canada, though OpenAI says it hopes to expand quickly to other countries. While the Sora social platform is currently invite-only, ChatGPT Pro users should be able to try out the Sora 2 Pro model without an invite. Once videos are generated, they can be shared in a feed within the Sora app, which seems like it'll be similar to TikTok, Instagram Reels, or other short form video feeds. Interestingly, Meta announced just last week that it added a video feed called "Vibes" to its Meta AI app (it's basically all mindless slop). To curate its algorithmic recommendations, OpenAI will consider a user's Sora activity, their location (attained via their IP address), their past post engagement, and their ChatGPT conversation history, though that can be turned off. The Sora app also ships with parental controls via ChatGPT, which allow parents to override infinite scroll limits, turn off algorithmic personalization, and manage who can direct message their child. However, these features are only as powerful as the parent's technical know-how. The Sora app will be free at launch, which OpenAI says is "so people can freely explore its capabilities." The company says that at launch, the only plan for monetization to charge users to generate extra videos in times of high demand. The launch of a social platform will require significant user safety measures from OpenAI, which has struggled with the same issues in ChatGPT. While users can revoke access to their likeness at any time, this sort of access can easily be abused. Even if a user trusts someone they know with access to their AI likeness, that person could still generate deceptive content that could be used to harm that person. Non-consensual videos are a persistent problem with AI-generated video, causing significant harm with few laws explicitly governing platform responsibility.

OpenAI's Sora Video Tops Apple App Store Despite Being Invite-Only

(Credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. OpenAI's latest release has taken social media by storm, and that hype has helped Sora jump to the top of Apple's App Store free charts less than 72 hours after its release. The video-generation app launched for iOS and the web on Tuesday. It enables you to create short-form videos with dialogue and sound effects by using prompts with the brand's latest text-to-video model, Sora 2. The Cameo feature lets you upload images and videos of yourself. "Our latest video generation model is more physically accurate, realistic, and more controllable than prior systems," OpenAI says. That's proven true this week as the internet has become awash with examples of videos generated through the tool with remarkably life-like results. The app is invite-only for now, yet it has still managed to grab the top spot on Apple's store. It's worth noting that you can still download the app, even if you don't have an invite code. So, some people may be downloading Sora to try it out, only to find they can't get in. App intelligence platform Appfigures estimated that the app was downloaded 164,000 times across its first two days of availability, according to TechCrunch. OpenAI also takes the third spot in the charts with ChatGPT, while Google Gemini sits in second place. The rest of the top five moves away from AI services, with Tea Dating Advice in position four, and Meta's Threads in fifth. At launch, OpenAI said Sora banned AI-generated videos of public figures, but it does allow the generation of historical figures. We found videos of pop star Michael Jackson, painter Bob Ross, and rapper Tupac Shakur, as well as videos of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy.

OpenAI's Sora Makes Brain Rot. It Could Also Be Huge.

Americans living next to vast artificial intelligence data centers now know what their higher utility bills are paying for: a new social-media time suck. OpenAI's Sora is essentially the AI version of TikTok. Scan your face and record a few seconds of your voice and then use text prompts to generate videos of you -- or a highly realistic, AI generated avatar of you -- jumping out of an airplane with parakeets or dribbling a soccer ball on Mars. If that sounds to you like a step toward dystopia, you're not alone. The backlash to Sora this week was swift and brutal, calling out OpenAI's hypocrisy in pledging to cure cancer but launching a trough for AI slop instead.

OpenAI's Video Generator Gets New Social Media App With Sora 2

OpenAI is diving deeper into the world of AI media generation. Its AI video generator Sora is getting its own social media app, powered by a newly updated version of its AI video model called Sora 2, the company announced Tuesday via livestream. The app will be a kind of social media platform, where you can sign up, follow your friends and share content. But all of that content will be AI-generated. "It's not posted by bots, it's posted by humans, but it's all AI generated," OpenAI said during the livestream. One of the biggest new features is called cameo, which lets you use your face or someone else's face and insert it into an AI-generated background. Your likeness can be used by other users if you choose to allow it. OpenAI dropped the first version of Sora in late 2024, but it hasn't had any big updates since then. In the meantime, the company has added image generation to its ChatGPT chatbot, which initially took off and started a trend of people using the model to create images of themselves in the iconic cartoon-like style of Studio Ghibli. The trend also highlighted the ethical and legal concerns that come with AI media generation.

AI comes to the video wars

A new period of experimentation in AI apps has arrived. In the nearly three years since the launch of ChatGPT, chatbots have been the beginning and end of most people's experience of generative AI. But while ChatGPT itself has become one of the fast-growing consumer internet services ever, the companies leading the AI charge hope chatbots don't represent the last word in the technology. OpenAI and others are instead starting to experiment with different ways to put their hugely expensive AI models to work, searching for new "killer apps" that apply the technology in ways that become indispensable in their users' lives. One of the biggest questions: whether this will lead to an entirely new generation of apps that are built around AI from the ground up, or whether most people will experience artificial intelligence more in the form of new features added to the apps that they already use. An early test of this looks set to be in short-form video, the market dominated by TikTok. OpenAI this week unveiled an attempt to build a social network based on AI-generated video. Known as Sora, the app lets people insert themselves (and, with permission, their friends) into AI-generated videos. In a clear declaration of its ambition, it claimed that Sora "may be the GPT-3.5 moment for video" -- a reference to the large language model that touched off the ChatGPT revolution. This comes shortly after YouTube added AI features to the short videos on its own service, while Meta last week launched a feed made up solely of AI-generated videos created by its users. This is not OpenAI's only bid to carve out a new service. Last week it released ChatGPT Pulse, which tries to anticipate a user's information needs and, unprompted, serve up a selection of useful information once a day. The idea is not new: Google attempted something similar more than a decade ago. The question is whether technology has advanced to a point where an old idea like this can finally be made to work. OpenAI's growing seriousness about becoming a consumer app company was underlined earlier this year by its hiring of a former head of Meta's Facebook service Fidji Simo. Meta has become a formidable fast-follower, buying and copying ideas pioneered by others. At OpenAI, by contrast, Simo will have to come up with entirely new ideas, adapting AI into services that millions of users will find indispensable. One of the company's most intriguing moves this week has been to lay claim to the social networking turf that Meta has been retreating from. Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said earlier this year that only 20 per cent of the content people see on Facebook, and 10 per cent on Instagram, is from their friends. OpenAI, by contrast, claimed that its video app will engender new forms of community behaviour, "at a time when all major platforms are moving away from the social graph." After the novelty of running around an imagined landscape with a friend wears off, however, it might be a stretch to see this as an important and lasting change to online social interaction. Unspoken in much of this, but never far below the surface, is how the AI apps will make money. In a clear bid to distance itself from one of the biggest criticisms of social networks -- that their dependence on advertising makes them prioritise engagement above all, sometimes to the detriment of users -- OpenAI promised it was "not optimizing for time spent in feed", and that its "only current plan" to make money was to charge users for creating extra videos. It will be hard to compete in mass consumer internet markets with advertising giants Google and Meta, however, without offering people the same sort of "free" services as its rivals. Chief executive Sam Altman has at times appeared deeply uncomfortable with the idea of advertising, telling an interviewer earlier this year that it "fundamentally misalign[s] a user's incentives with the company providing the service." That, of course, is a close echo of the Google founders, who wrote back in 1998 that advertising might lead search engines to become biased. Sergey Brin and Larry Page nonetheless went on to create the world's most powerful advertising platform. It's hard to see how Altman, in search of ways to finance his company's hugely ambitious capital spending plans, will be able to resist the pressure to try something similar.

OpenAI launches new AI video app spun from copyrighted content

Sept 30 (Reuters) - OpenAI is releasing an AI video-generating app called Sora that lets people create and share AI videos that can be spun from copyrighted content and shared to social media-like streams. Copyright owners, such as television and movie studios, must opt out of having their work appear in the video feed, company officials said, describing it as a continuation of its prior policy toward image generation. The copyright policy is likely to ruffle feathers throughout Hollywood. The ChatGPT-maker has been in talks with a variety of copyright holders in recent weeks to discuss the policy, company officials said. At least one major studio, Disney, has already opted out of having their material appear in the app, people familiar with the matter said. Earlier this year, OpenAI pressed the Trump administration to declare that training AI models on copyrighted material fell under the "fair use" provision in copyright law. "Applying the fair use doctrine to AI is not only a matter of American competitiveness -- it's a matter of national security," OpenAI argued in March., opens new tab Without this step, it said at the time, U.S. AI companies would lose their edge over rivals in China. OpenAI officials said it put measures in place to block people from creating videos of public figures or other users of the app without permission. Public figures and others' likeness cannot be used until they upload their own AI-generated video and give their permission. One such step is a "liveness check" where the app prompts a user to move their head in different directions and recite a random string of numbers. Users will be able to see drafts of videos that involve their likeness. Videos in the Sora app can be up to 10 seconds long. OpenAI built a feature it calls Cameo that will let users create realistic-looking AI versions of themselves and insert themselves into AI-generated scenes. "Our companies are in the business of competing for time and modifying consumer behavior," Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak said in a research note, adding he saw Sora app as a direct competitor to longstanding social media and digital content platforms from Meta, Google, TikTok and others. Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Daniel Wallis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

I've fallen into Sora's slippery slop

An anime version of Jesus Christ flipping tables. OpenAI employees performing in Hamilton costumes. News anchors discussing a story on television. A man doing a thirst-trap TikTok dance. Sam Altman -- stealing GPUs on CCTV, listening to a business pitch, crying. Such were the contents of my feed on Sora, OpenAI's new social media app for AI-generated video. The company released the iOS app on Tuesday with the ability to create 10-second videos of virtually anything you can dream up, including "cameos," or videos featuring your own AI-generated self and anyone else who approves of you using their likeness. OpenAI employees called Sora a potential "ChatGPT moment for video generation" in a briefing with reporters earlier this week. On Friday, Sora topped the list for top free apps in Apple's App Store. Already, reception has been mixed. Multiple viral posts juxtaposed the company's lofty science- and research-related goals and its current release, with the digs becoming so popular that Altman himself had to respond. Many have expressed concern that the ultra-realistic videos incorporating real people are a misinformation nightmare. Others simply call it an AI slop machine. Some OpenAI employees have publicly posted about their concerns, too. John Hallman, who works on pre-training at OpenAI, wrote in a post, "I won't deny that I felt some concern when I first learned we were releasing Sora 2. That said, I think the team did the absolute best job they possible could in designing a positive experience." Boaz Barak, a member of OpenAI's technical staff, wrote on X that he feels a "mix of worry and excitement. Sora 2 is technically amazing but it's premature to congratulate ourselves on avoiding the pitfalls of other social media apps and deepfakes." He said that although he's happy with some of the safeguards, "But as always, there is a limit to how much we can know before a product is used in the real world." But compared to other AI "social" apps like Meta's Vibes, Sora has an at least temporarily compelling hook: the ability to meme-ify yourself and your friends. OpenAI seems to have noticed that most popular AI trends involve transforming yourself -- into a Studio Ghibli character, into a sort of boring doll. Now, it's built an entire app around this. And Sora's popularity has seemed to eclipse Vibes so far; some people are scrolling it like TikTok, judging from online anecdotes. The question is whether these trends can meaningfully replace real people expressing their real opinions using their real voices in a real setting, once the initial novelty of Altman meowing in a full-body cat costume wears off. When I signed up for Sora, the app gave me a content advisory, saying, "You are about to enter a creative world of AI-generated content." It also told me, "We may train on your content and use ChatGPT memories for recommendations, all controllable in settings." So far, my feed is essentially made up of OpenAI employees parodying themselves and the company, a lot of deepfake instructional videos on how to use Sora, and a handful of animal videos. The volume of OpenAI people isn't necessarily surprising -- they've been using the app for a while, and invites to the public are still restricted. But it was still striking how hard it was to find anything else. No matter how people feel about Sora so far, though, the broad consensus seems to be that our perception of what's real and what isn't may never be the same. I reluctantly completed the signup flow allowing Sora to generate videos using my own likeness, which involved moving my head from side to side and saying a sequence of three numbers. When I first tried to generate a video of myself, the app told me that it was under "heavy load" and to "try again later." Then when I asked for a video of myself "running through a meadow," it said that was a "content violation" and couldn't be made, adding that "this content may include suggestive or racy material." When I traded the word "running" for "frolicking," though, the app came through. (One note of caution: if you do sign up for Sora, it's currently not possible to delete your account without also deleting your ChatGPT account -- and you won't be able to sign up with the same email address or phone number again. OpenAI said it's working on a fix.) My AI-generated self's appearance was scary accurate for most of the video -- though my voice was off, and the face in the beginning looked a little warped -- and my group chat had mixed thoughts. "That's wild. Why does it look like you?" one friend said. Another said, "At the end it looks like you ... I still don't get why this exists. Who is asking for this?" The final member of the chat weighed in with, "Hate everything about this ... deeply triggering." Many OpenAI employees, and Altman himself, have selected the setting within Sora that allows anyone to create videos with their likenesses. The app lets you choose who can create "cameos" with your likeness: just yourself, people you approve, mutuals, or everyone. During the briefing with reporters on Monday, and in a release on Tuesday, OpenAI made a lot of promises, including that it was being restrictive on public figures (unless they've granted use of their likenesses) for "this rollout." At The Verge, a little testing suggests it's pretty zealous -- when we tried to create a "young firebrand congresswoman," it refused until we swapped in the generic "politician," though when we tried to generate a "successful tech exec wearing glasses and a black turtleneck," akin to Steve Jobs, it worked (albeit not with Jobs' face). But two of OpenAI's other big claims seemed to fall short within just 24 hours: the idea that the company will be able to stay ahead of copyright violations and the idea that it will be able to control the flow of potential misinformation being created on the app. People have already flagged a range of potential copyright violations and other issues with Sora. 404 Media reported seeing Nazi Spongebobs and criminal Pikachus on the app, and one X user posted examples saying they were able to generate characters from Avatar and The Legend of Zelda, as well as Batman and Baby Yoda. During my testing, I saw a video of Rick and Morty, but when I tried to get around the copyright rules to generate a princess that looked like Elsa from Frozen or a superhero dressed like Spider-Man, my prompts got flagged for content violations. Even as an AI reporter, it was tough for me to tell the difference between AI and reality when it came to some hyper-realistic videos of Altman and OpenAI employees proliferating on Sora. OpenAI wrote in a release earlier this week that "every video made with Sora has multiple signals that show it's AI-generated," such as metadata and a moving watermark on downloaded clips. But that watermark may be omitted for ChatGPT Pro users on Sora.com, OpenAI spokesperson Leah Anise told The Verge in a statement on Wednesday. Screen recording also isn't supposed to be possible within the app. But in my own testing, I found that both screenshots and sound recordings were possible -- meaning it'd be very easy to pass off a deepfake of someone's voice as real or even a video screengrab of them doing something they shouldn't be. The Sora watermark on downloaded content, too, isn't very large. I found that you can screen-record with both audio and video as long as you're watching the video link in a web browser on mobile, and at first I didn't even see the watermark it added. And staff at The Verge have seen a lot of videos ostensibly from Sora circulating on platforms like X with no watermark. In a cursory Google search, I found a whole host of methods for removing such a watermark using other AI tools. If history is any guide, workarounds for the guardrails that OpenAI has set seem inevitable -- especially in the misinformation age. As we wrote on Wednesday, a Microsoft engineer warned last year that the company's AI image-l generator ignored copyrights and generated sexual, violent imagery with little to no effort, and xAI's Grok recently generated deepfake nude videos of Taylor Swift. So far, Sora's appeal comes down to one thing: it's fun to make dumb videos featuring your friends (and, for a lot of people, apparently Sam Altman). But how long can that really propel a TikTok copycat -- and is that a good enough foundation for an entire AI-generated social media app?

Sam Altman Admits Sora 2 'Slop' Feed Is a Money Grab to Fund GPUs

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (Credit: Bloomberg / Contributor / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. OpenAI and Meta both released AI-generated video feeds this week, sparking debate on social media about whether it's the best use of the costly, energy-intensive technology. While the videos are impressive in their image quality and capabilities, they raise the question, "Did anyone ask for this?" Meta is calling its product Vibes, while OpenAI released a next-gen version of its video creator, Sora 2, via a TikTok-style video app for iOS. "Sora 2 looks impressive," says one X user. "What's even more impressive is how little I care to watch anything made using it." The social media lingo for this type of AI-generated content is "slop," which loosely means generic, soulless, and optimized for quantity, not quality. However, others are more supportive, finding it a fun distraction and creative project. Clearly, it's caught on in some fashion, given the number of videos users are posting to social media and the conversation it's created. One person called out OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for launching such a frivolous product after his CNBC interview last week, in which he claimed the company's mission is to achieve sufficient computing power to cure cancer and attain "artificial general intelligence" (AGI). Altman responded by acknowledging that he "gets the vibe" of what critics are saying, but argued that the company needs to make money to cover the costs of the seemingly infinite data centers required to power the technology. "We do mostly need the capital for build[ing] AI that can do science, and for sure we are focused on AGI with almost all of our research effort," Altman says. "It is also nice to show people cool new tech/products along the way, make them smile, and hopefully make some money given all that compute need." Ironically, Sora 2 requires a significant amount of compute power on its own, suggesting OpenAI needs to use compute power to fund more of it. It's currently free to get users hooked, but that's likely to change in the near future. "Sora 2 will initially be available for free, with generous limits to start so people can freely explore its capabilities, though these are still subject to compute constraints," it says. Serious users will need to pay for a $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription for the full capabilities and fewer limits. Meta has not commented on whether its Vibes video feed will help its bottom line. But across its platforms, engagement and ad dollars are king. This week, it confirmed that Meta AI chats will be mined to serve up targeted ads and recommendations. The company has also been spending millions on gigantic pay packages for top AI talent -- another case of spending money to make money. It hired Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang with a rumored $100 million pay package. Last week, Wang debuted Vibes in a social media post. OpenAI doesn't expect to be profitable until 2029, when it's projected to reach $125 billion in revenue, according to Bloomberg News. However, it earned more money in the first half of 2025 than it did in all of 2024, and is on track to rake in $13 billion in revenue by the end of the year, The Information reports. That mostly comes from ChatGPT subscriptions, but the company is working on new streams of income. This week, it announced a new shopping feature that lets ChatGPT users purchase products from Etsy, Glossier, Skims, Spanx, Vuori, and presumably other Shopify-powered websites. It will take a cut of the revenue. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI's invite-only video generation app Sora tops Apple's App Store

The artificial intelligence startup launched Sora on Tuesday, and it allows users to generate short-form AI videos, remix videos created by other users and post them to a shared feed. Sora is only available on iOS devices and is invite-based, which means users need a code to access it. Despite these restrictions, Sora has secured the top spot in the App Store, ahead of Google's Gemini and OpenAI's generative chatbot ChatGPT. "It's been epic to see what the collective creativity of humanity is capable of so far," Bill Peebles, head of Sora at OpenAI, wrote in a post on X on Friday. "Team is iterating fast and listening to feedback."

OpenAI's Sora app is real but you'll need an invite to try it

Well, that was fast. One day after Wired reported that OpenAI was preparing to release a new AI social video app, the company has revealed it to the wider world. It's called the Sora app, and it's powered by OpenAI's new Sora 2 video generation model. As expected, it's possible to add your likeness to a video you generate using a feature OpenAI calls "Cameo." Right now, Sora is only available on iOS -- with no word yet on when it might arrive on Android -- and you'll need an invite from the company. However, once you receive access, you'll be able to invite four friends to download the software.

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers. -- -- -- -- AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

OpenAI's Sora Makes Disinformation Extremely Easy and Extremely Real

In its first three days, users of a new app from OpenAI deployed artificial intelligence to create strikingly realistic videos of ballot fraud, immigration arrests, protests, crimes and attacks on city streets -- none of which took place. The app, called Sora, requires just a text prompt to create almost any footage a user can dream up. Users can also upload images of themselves, allowing their likeness and voice to become incorporated into imaginary scenes. The app can integrate certain fictional characters, company logos and even deceased celebrities. Sora -- as well as Google's Veo 3 and other tools like it -- could become increasingly fertile breeding grounds for disinformation and abuse, experts said. While worries about A.I.'s ability to enable misleading content and outright fabrications have risen steadily in recent years, Sora's advances underscore just how much easier such content is to produce, and how much more convincing it is. Increasingly realistic videos are more likely to lead to consequences in the real world by exacerbating conflicts, defrauding consumers, swinging elections or framing people for crimes they did not commit, experts said. "It's worrisome for consumers who every day are being exposed to God knows how many of these pieces of content," said Hany Farid, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a co-founder of GetReal Security. "I worry about it for our democracy. I worry for our economy. I worry about it for our institutions." OpenAI has said it released the app after extensive safety testing, and experts noted that the company had made an effort to include guardrails. "Our usage policies prohibit misleading others through impersonation, scams or fraud, and we take action when we detect misuse," the company said in a statement in response to questions about the concerns. In tests by The New York Times, the app refused to generate imagery of famous people who had not given their permission and declined prompts that asked for graphic violence. It also denied some prompts asking for political content. "Sora 2's ability to generate hyperrealistic video and audio raises important concerns around likeness, misuse and deception," OpenAI wrote in a document accompanying the app's debut. "As noted above, we are taking a thoughtful and iterative approach in deployment to minimize these potential risks." (The Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. The two companies have denied those claims.) The Latest on the Trump Administration White House Uses Shutdown to Maximize Pain and Punish Political Foes Trump Fires Members of Humanities Council How Trump's Online Drugstore May Affect Your Drug Costs Trump to Withhold $18 Billion for New York-Area Transit Projects Supreme Court Allows Lisa Cook to Remain at Fed, for Now Trump Administration Defunds Federal Watchdog Office The safeguards, however, were not foolproof. Sora, which is currently accessible only through an invitation from an existing user, does not require users to verify their accounts -- meaning they may be able to sign up with a name and profile image that is not theirs. (To create an A.I. likeness, users must upload a video of themselves using the app. In tests by The Times, Sora rejected attempts to make A.I. likenesses using videos of famous people.) The app will generate content involving children without issue, as well as content featuring long-dead public figures such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Jackson. The app would not produce videos of President Trump or other world leaders. But when asked to create a political rally with attendees wearing "blue and holding signs about rights and freedoms," Sora produced a video featuring the unmistakable voice of former President Barack Obama. Until recently, videos were reasonably reliable as evidence of actual events, even after it became easy to edit photographs and text in realistic ways. Sora's high-quality video, however, raises the risk that viewers will lose all trust in what they see, experts said. Sora videos feature a moving watermark identifying them as A.I. creations, but experts said such marks could be edited out with some effort. Trump Administration: Live Updates Updated Oct. 2, 2025, 6:14 p.m. ETOct. 2, 2025 "It was somewhat hard to fake, and now that final bastion is dying," said Lucas Hansen, a founder of CivAI, a nonprofit that studies the abilities and dangers of artificial intelligence. "There is almost no digital content that can be used to prove that anything in particular happened." Such an effect is known as the liar's dividend: that increasingly high-caliber A.I. videos will allow people to dismiss authentic content as fake. Imagery presented in a fast-moving scroll, as it is on Sora, is conducive to quick impressions but not rigorous fact-checking, experts said. They said the app was capable of generating videos that could spread propaganda and present sham evidence that lent credence to conspiracy theories, implicated innocent people in crimes or inflamed volatile situations. Although the app refused to create images of violence, it willingly depicted convenience store robberies and home intrusions captured on doorbell cameras. A Sora developer posted a video from the app showing Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, shoplifting from Target. It also created videos of bombs exploding on city streets and other fake images of war -- content that is considered highly sensitive for its potential to mislead the public about global conflicts. Fake and outdated footage has circulated on social media in all recent wars, but the app raises the prospect that such content could be tailor-made and delivered by perceptive algorithms to receptive audiences. "Now I'm getting really, really great videos that reinforce my beliefs, even though they're false, but you're never going to see them because they were never delivered to you," said Kristian J. Hammond, a professor who runs the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence at Northwestern University. "The whole notion of separated, balkanized realities, we already have, but this just amplifies it." Dr. Farid, the Berkeley professor, said Sora was "part of a continuum" that had only accelerated since Google unveiled its Veo 3 video generator in May. Even he, an expert whose company is devoted to spotting fabricated images, now struggles at first glance to distinguish real from fake, Dr. Farid said. "A year ago, more or less, when I would look at it, I would know, and then I would run my analysis to confirm my visual analysis," he said. "And I could do that because I look at these things all day long and I sort of knew where the artifacts were. I can't do that anymore."

OpenAI's Sora app rockets to #1 in the App Store, overtaking Gemini and ChatGPT

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. In brief: Well, that didn't take long. Less than a week after launch, Sora, the hyper-realistic AI video generation app from OpenAI has surged to the top of Apple's App Store rankings, besting rivals including Google Gemini and ChatGPT. Bill Peebles, head of the Sora project at OpenAI, announced the achievement on X on Friday. In the post, he said his team is listening to feedback and iterating fast, and promised that more invite codes would be sent soon. Sora 2.0 debuted earlier this week as a free download on the iOS App Store. The app allows users to easily create realistic videos complete with audio that synchronizes perfectly with on-screen content. Videos can be created using simple text prompts or sampled from existing content. A new feature called Cameos even lets people insert themselves and their friends into the action. The latest version of Sora represents a pivotal milestone in content creation. Up until now, most AI-generated video featured obvious tells that what you were looking at wasn't genuine. With the new Sora app and others that'll no doubt follow in the near future, the line between real and imaginary is getting very blurry. Soon, it could be nearly impossible for the average onlooker to determine if what they are watching is genuine or make-believe. OpenAI said it conducted extensive safety testing leading up to the app's launch to prevent abuse. Guardrails include "layered defenses" against topics such as terrorist propaganda, self-harm promotion, and sexual material. OpenAI also has automated systems in place that can scan source content against their global usage policies, and scans generated audio output to detect for copyright infringement. Sora is technically invite-only, so you'll have to wait for the company to send you an access code to use it. It is available now for free on the App Store in the US and Canada. We're told that expansion to addition markets is in the cards, and a version for Android is also coming soon.

OpenAI Releases Social App for Sharing AI Videos From Sora

OpenAI is releasing a standalone social app for making and sharing AI-generated videos with friends, an attempt to supercharge adoption for the emerging technology just as ChatGPT did for chatbots three years ago. The free Sora app, available Tuesday by invitation, is powered by a new version of OpenAI's video-making software of the same name. As with the original Sora, released last December, users can generate short clips in response to text prompts, but the new app allows people to see videos created by others. Beyond that, users can create a realistic-looking AI avatar and voice of themselves, which can be inserted into videos made with the app by the user or their friends, with the avatar owner's permission. Despite its success with ChatGPT, now used by more than 700 million people weekly, OpenAI has yet to turn Sora into a household name. The company faces stiff competition from the likes of Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Runway AI and Midjourney, each of which offer artificial intelligence tools that spit out short clips quickly and, in some cases, more cheaply than creating video from scratch.

OpenAI's New Social Network Is Reportedly TikTok If It Was Just an AI Slop Feed

Welcome to the age of anti-social media. According to a report from Wired, OpenAI is planning on launching a standalone app for its video generation tool Sora 2 that will include a TikTok-style video scroll that will let people scroll through entirely AI-generated videos. The quixotic effort follows Meta's recent launch of an AI-slop-only feed on its Meta AI app that was met with nearly universal negativity. Per Wired, the Sora 2 app will feature the familiar swipe-up-to-scroll style navigation that is featured for most vertical video platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. It'll also use a personalized recommendation algorithm to feed users content that might appeal to their interests. Users will be able to like, comment, or "remix" a postâ€"all very standard social media fare. The big difference is that all of the content on the platform will be AI-generated via OpenAI's video generation model that can take text, photos, or existing video and AI-ify it. The videos will be up to 10 seconds long, presumably because that's about how long Sora can hold itself together before it starts hallucinating weird shit. (The first version of Sora allows videos up to 60 seconds, but struggles to produce truly convincing and continuous imagery for that long.) According to Wired, there is no way to directly upload a photo or video and post it unedited. Interestingly, OpenAI has figured out how to work a social element into the app, albeit in a way that has a sort of inherent creepiness to it. Per Wired, the Sora 2 app will ask users to verify their identity via facial recognition to confirm their likeness. After confirming their identity, their likeness can be used in videos. Not only can they insert themselves into a video, but other users can tag you and use your likeness in their videos. Users will reportedly get notified any time their likeness is used, even if the generated video is saved to drafts and never posted. How that will be implemented when and if the app launches to the public, we'll have to see. But as reported, it seems like an absolute nightmare. Basically, the only thing that the federal government has managed to find any sort of consensus around when it comes to regulating AI is offering some limited protections against non-consensual deepfakes. As described, that kind of seems like one feature of Sora 2 is letting your likeness be manipulated by others. Surely there will be some sort of opt-out available or ability to restrict who can use your likeness, right? According to Wired, there will be some protections as to the type of content that Sora 2 will allow users to create. It is trained to refuse to violate copyright, for instance, and will reportedly have filters in place to restrict certain types of videos from being produced. But will it actually offer sufficient protection to people? OpenAI made a big point to emphasize how it added protections to the original Sora model to prevent it from generating nudity and explicit images, but tests of the system managed to get it to create prohibited content anyway at a low-but-not-zero rate. Gizmodo reached out to OpenAI to confirm its plans for the app, but did not receive a response at the time of publication. There has been speculation for months about the launch of Sora 2, with some expectation that it would be announced at the same time as GPT-5. For now, it and its accompanying app remain theoretical, but there is at least one good idea hidden in the concept of the all-AI social feed, albeit probably not in the way OpeAI intended it: Keep AI content quarantined.

OpenAI's new Sora video generator to require copyright holders to opt out, WSJ reports

Sept 29 (Reuters) - OpenAI is planning to release a new version of its Sora generator that creates videos featuring copyrighted material, unless rights holders opt out of having their work appear, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The artificial intelligence startup began notifying talent agencies and studios over the past week about the opt-out process and the product, which it plans to release in the coming days, the report said. The new process would mean movie studios and other intellectual property owners would have to explicitly ask OpenAI not to include their copyrighted material in videos Sora creates, according to the report. While copyrighted characters will require an opt-out, the new product will not generate images of recognizable public figures without their permission, the Journal said. Separately, Wired reported on Monday that OpenAI is preparing to launch a standalone app for Sora 2, featuring a vertical video feed with swipe-to-scroll navigation, resembling TikTok. Users would be able to create videos that are up to 10 seconds long, using Sora, according to documents viewed by Wired. There is no option to upload photos or videos from a user's camera roll or other apps. The app has an identity verification feature that allows users to confirm their likeness, Wired said. If a user has verified their identity, they can use their likeness in videos. OpenAI launched the app internally last week and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from employees, the report said. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on both the media reports. Microsoft-backed (MSFT.O), opens new tab OpenAI launched Sora in December last year, expanding its foray into multimodal AI technologies and competing with similar text-to-video tools from Meta (META.O), opens new tab and Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google, along with Stability AI's Stable Video Diffusion. Last week, Meta unveiled Vibes, a platform where users can create and share short-form, AI-generated videos. Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Sahal Muhammed and Alan Barona Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

This social app can put your face into fake movie scenes, memes and arrest videos

Videos on the explore page of OpenAI's new social app Sora, labeled as AI-generated by The Washington Post. (Washington Post illustration) SAN FRANCISCO -- Security footage of a famous tech CEO shoplifting, Ronald McDonald in a police chase, Jesus joking about "last supper vibes" in a selfie video in front of a busy dinner table. All fake videos that on Wednesday ranked among the most popular on a new TikTok-style app that further blurs the eroding line between reality and artificial intelligence-generated fantasy or falsehood. Sora, released by ChatGPT maker OpenAI, is a social app where every second of audio and video is generated by artificial intelligence. Users can create fake clips that depict themselves or their friends in just about any scenario imaginable, with consistently high realism and a compelling soundtrack complete with voices. OpenAI said the app is initially available only in the United States and Canada, but that access will expand. In the 24 hours after the app's release Tuesday, early users explored the power of OpenAI's upgraded video-making technology and the fun to be had inserting friends into outlandish scenes, or making them sing, dance or fly. Users also posted clips that showed how more powerful AI video tools could be used to mislead or harass, or might raise legal questions over copyright. Fake videos that soared on Sora included realistic police body-cam footage, recreations of popular TV shows and clips that broke through protections intended to prevent unauthorized use of a person's likeness. Tests by The Washington Post showed Sora could create fake videos of real people dressed as Nazi generals, highly convincing phony scenes from TV shows including "South Park" and fake footage of historical figures such as John F. Kennedy. Experts have warned for years that AI-generated video could become indistinguishable from video shot with cameras, undermining trust in footage of the real world. Sora's combination of improved AI technology and its ability to realistically insert real people into fake clips appears to make such confusion more likely. "The challenge with tools like Sora is it makes the problem exponentially larger because it's so available and because it's so good," said Ben Colman, chief executive and co-founder of Reality Defender, a company that makes software to help banks and other companies detect AI fraud and deepfakes. Just a few months ago, regular people didn't have access to high-quality AI video generation, Colman said. "Now it's everywhere." AI-generated content has become increasingly common -- and popular -- on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube over the past year. Hollywood studios are experimenting with the technology to speed up productions. President Donald Trump this week posted an AI-generated fake video on his social network Truth Social showing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) with a sombrero and mustache during a news conference. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) X account posted fake videos of Vice President JD Vance on X. The new Sora app makes OpenAI the first major tech company to attempt to build a social video platform wholly focused on fake video. Sora ranked as the third most popular download on Apple's app store on Wednesday, despite access to the app being limited to those who have an invite code from an existing user. OpenAI launched the first version of Sora last year, as a tool that simply converted text prompts into short fake video clips. Google and other companies soon released AI video tools of their own. Meta last week added a feature called Vibes to its AI app that allows people to create and share AI videos. Meta and Google's tools allow the creation of real-looking people, but with Sora OpenAI has gone further in designing the app to encourage users to make videos of specific people and share their own likeness for others to use. A spokesperson for OpenAI said the company's rules for its products ban impersonation, scams and fraud. The company also has added extra guardrails to the app when real people are featured in videos meant to block nudity and graphic violence. In response to questions about potential copyright infringement when users make videos replicating proprietary content, OpenAI's Head of Media Partnerships Varun Shetty said users are "eager to engage with their family and friends through their own imaginations, as well as stories, characters, and worlds they love." OpenAI will block any copyrighted characters if rights holders ask for them to be taken down, Shetty said. The Post previously reported that testing an earlier version of OpenAI's video technology suggested it had been created using versions of movies and Netflix shows. The Washington Post has a content partnership with OpenAI. Sora puts images of real people into fake videos with a feature called "cameos." Users upload a short video of their face that, once processed by the app, can be used by Sora to insert that person's likeness into AI-generated videos. Users can keep their cameo to themselves, allow friends to use it too, or even opt to permit any Sora user to generate videos with their face in them. OpenAI has said giving users the ability to control use of their likeness that way will protect against potential misuse. Users can delete videos made with their likeness by others if they do not like them, and Sora tries to block attempts to create of videos of public figures such as politicians and celebrities. But in the first hours of the app's public launch, some users found ways around those limits. Justine Ezarik, a YouTuber who goes by iJustine, posted on Sora on Tuesday that her face was "open to anyone who wants to make a video with me right now so don't abuse it." Other users quickly added her into all kinds of scenes, including a series of clips posted under the username, "JustineLover," that portrayed her getting splattered with sticky white liquid. The account was later removed. Ezarik did not immediately respond to a request for comment. New users of the Sora app are shown a "media upload agreement" with check-boxes asking them not to create videos that contain "violence or explicit themes," depict children or feature people without their consent. The app sometimes refuses to generate videos and displays a warning that the request violated its policies or "guardrails around harassment, discrimination, bullying or similar prohibited content." Mathieu Samson, founder of Kickflix, an AI filmmaking agency, used Sora to make a fake but realistic TV commercial for a children's play set called "Secret Island" that features a "hidden massage room," in reference to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "There definitely is not enough filters right now," Samson said, predicting that, as has happened with other new AI tools, OpenAI will add more restrictions as problematic clips get flagged and reported. He expects users to still find ways to push the limits. "No matter the filters, there are always work-arounds." Samson, who said he has created AI video accounts on TikTok and YouTube, predicted that humans could soon find it difficult to compete with fake content online. AI video can be made more rapidly and is becoming more difficult to spot, he said. "Even if viewers prefer authenticity, if it becomes hard to discern, then it will barely have an edge," Samson said.

OpenAI's Sora 2 app lets users remix friends in short AI video clips

If you think the internet was not yet entirely AI slop, OpenAI's new Sora launch just might change your opinion. The company has unveiled Sora 2, its upgraded video-and-audio generation model, alongside a new iOS social app also called Sora. The app borrows heavily from TikTok's short-video format but adds a twist: users can record short clips and let friends spin them into AI-generated cameos. The release follows Sora's debut in February 2024, which OpenAI described as the GPT-1 moment for video. That model hinted at what large-scale video training could unlock.

OpenAI made a TikTok for deepfakes, and it's getting hard to tell what's real

On Monday, I watched OpenAI CEO Sam Altman drink from a gigantic mango-flavored juice box and remark aloud about how the box was half his size. The catch: It wasn't really Altman. The juice box wasn't real. He wasn't really talking. It was a deepfake generated by AI. The most concerning part: I couldn't tell whether or not it was real. OpenAI announced Sora 2, its new AI video- and audio-generation system, on Tuesday, and in a briefing with reporters on Monday, employees called it the potential "ChatGPT moment for video generation." Just like ChatGPT, Sora 2 is being released as a way for consumers to play around with a new AI tool -- one that includes a social media app with the ability to create realistic videos of real people saying real things. You could say it's essentially an app full of deepfakes. On purpose. OpenAI believes Sora, which was first announced in February 2024 and released that December, has finally reached a point of relative reliability. Bill Peebles, OpenAI's head of Sora, compared the video-generation system's earliest iteration to a "slot machine" where "you would put a prompt in and kind of cross your fingers that what you got out bore any resemblance to what you asked for." The new model, he said, "is way better in terms of being faithful to how users prompt it." During the briefing, the team behind Sora 2 said they had been working on it for at least 20 months. The biggest step change in the product is that it can now generate audio that's synchronized with video -- not just background soundscapes and sound effects, but also dialogue that works for a range of languages. It's available through Sora.com, "with Sora 2 Pro available to ChatGPT Pro users," and developers are set to receive API access "soon." The social app is also called "Sora" and it's available now via iOS to users in the US and Canada on an invite-only basis. More countries will follow, and each user will receive four additional invites to share with friends. In the release, OpenAI said Sora 2 is "moving us closer to useful world simulators." OpenAI employees told reporters the new system was much smarter at physics, too. Peebles said, "You can accurately do backflips on top of a paddleboard on a body of water, and all of the fluid dynamics and buoyancy are accurately modeled. It's really a step function change in terms of the underlying physics intelligence that this model has." But that could also be a nightmare when it comes to deepfakes, which are already a widespread problem. The accompanying Sora social media app looks a lot like TikTok, with a "For You" page and an interface with a vertical scroll. But it includes a feature called "Cameos," in which people can give the app permission to generate videos with their likenesses. In a video, which must be recorded inside the iOS app, you're asked to move your head in different directions and speak a sequence of specific numbers. Once it's uploaded, your likeness can be remixed (including in interactions with other people's likenesses) by describing the desired video and audio in a text prompt. OpenAI employees told reporters during the Monday briefing that Sora has replaced text messages, emojis, and voice notes for them, to become one of the top ways they communicate among themselves. In the briefing, they demoed fake ads, fake conversations between two people, fake news clips, and more, all created with Sora 2 and consumed via scrolling through the social media app. Some of the clips were generated live as we watched, and they were terrifyingly realistic -- no more six-fingered hands (that I could see, at least). Unless the video contained fantastical subject matter, like the gigantic juice box example, the untrained eye may not be able to tell that these videos were AI-generated -- and if you could tell, it would likely be based simply on a feeling, or a vibe, of something feeling off. The Sora app lets you choose who can create cameos with your likeness: just yourself, people you approve, mutuals, or "everyone." OpenAI employees said that users were "co-owners" of these cameos and could revoke someone else's creation access or delete a video containing their AI-generated likeness at any time. It's also possible to block someone on the app. Team members also said that users can see drafts of cameos that others are making of them before they're posted, and that in the future they may change settings so the person featured in a cameo has to approve it before it posts -- but that's not the case yet. In the release, OpenAI also pointed to its newly minted parental controls for its products, writing that options include turning on "a non-personalized feed, choosing whether to allow their teen to send and receive direct messages, and the option to turn off an uninterrupted feed of content while scrolling." Like TikTok, the Sora app seems built to generate social media trends, with the ability to "Remix" other videos. It currently generates 10-second videos, but Pro users could soon get up to 15 seconds on the web, with the same ability coming to mobile later. Employees said that it's possible to create longer videos, but since that's a compute-heavy task, they're still figuring out how they'll handle it. For everyone else, the biggest task with Sora 2 and the Sora app may be figuring out how to decide what's real. OpenAI wrote in a release that "every video made with Sora has multiple signals that show it's AI-generated," such as metadata, a moving watermark on videos downloaded from Sora.com or the Sora app, and unspecified "internal detection tools to help assess whether a certain video or audio was created by our products." (OpenAI said in the release that in some ChatGPT Pro web flows, "watermarks may be omitted except when real people are depicted.") Screen recording also isn't supposed to be possible within the app. But workarounds seem almost inevitable, if recent history is any guide -- as does misinformation with the potential to spread like wildfire. As for deepfakes of government figures, celebrities, and other public figures? "Public figures can't be generated in Sora unless they've uploaded a cameo themselves and given consent for it to be used," OpenAI wrote in a release. "The same applies to everyone: if you haven't uploaded a cameo, your likeness can't be used." OpenAI employees also said during the briefing that it's "impossible to generate" X-rated or "extreme" content via the platform, and that the company isn't currently allowing free-form text prompting for AI-generated public figures. They also said that the company moderates video output for potential policy violations and copyright issues. But people have gotten around that type of rule in the past, time and time again. Last year, a Microsoft engineer warned that its AI image-generator ignored copyrights and generated sexual, violent imagery with simple workarounds. xAI's Grok recently generated nude deepfake videos of Taylor Swift with minimal prompting. And even for OpenAI, employees told reporters that the company is being restrictive on public figures for "this rollout," not seeming to rule out the ability to create such videos in the future. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI's Sora generations will feature copyrighted material unless the rights holders "opt out" of having their work appear on the platform. When The Verge asked about the matter during the Monday briefing with OpenAI, employees seemed to avoid the question, pointing to the company's existing image-generation policy and saying Sora's would be an extension of that. They also said that some opt-outs from the image-generation copyright policy would carry over and that the company would be building more controls.

OpenAI's Sora 2 is putting safety and censorship to the test with stunningly real videos

Fresh off a $6.6 billion share sale that made it the world's most valuable private company, OpenAI's TikTok-style video app, powered by its new artificial intelligence model, Sora 2, is going viral. Despite the gated release that requires an invite code, the video creation tool has already shot to the number three spot on Apple's App Store and sparked a wave of deepfakes, including a viral clip of CEO Sam Altman shoplifting GPUs. Internally, the rollout has reignited a long-running debate inside OpenAI about how to balance safety with creative freedom. A person familiar with internal strategy at the company said leadership views strict guardrails as essential, but also worries about stifling creativity or being perceived as censoring too much. That tension remains unresolved. OpenAI's culture has long favored speed, often shipping new tools ahead of rivals and letting the public adapt in real time. One former employee, who asked not to be named to discuss internal matters, told CNBC that during their tenure, OpenAI leadership had a pattern of prioritizing fast launches. That strategy was on full display after China's DeepSeek released a powerful model at the end of last year that was cheaper and faster to build than anything out of Silicon Valley. OpenAI responded within weeks, debuting two new models in what was widely viewed as a defensive move to preserve its lead. But OpenAI has a key advantage: Its growing institutional muscle. Once a scrappy research lab in San Francisco's Mission District, the company has since become more structured, enabling it to spin up cross-functional teams more quickly and accelerate the development and deployment cycles for products like Sora. OpenAI said Sora includes multiple layers of safeguards meant to prevent unsafe content from being generated, using prompt filtering and output moderation across video frames and audio transcripts. It bans explicit content, terrorist propaganda, and material promoting self-harm. The app also uses watermarks and bans likeness impersonation. But some users have already found ways to skirt those protections. Sora 2, the AI model powering OpenAI's app, is a sharp improvement over the first version. The new system generates longer, more coherent clips that look strikingly real. Multiple viral videos feature Altman after he granted permission for his likeness to be used on the platform, while others depict popular cartoon characters like Pikachu and SpongeBob SquarePants in unsettling roles. The content has fueled criticism that OpenAI is once again moving faster than its own guardrails. Its use of copyrighted material -- unless rights holders opt out -- is consistent with the company's current policy, though that approach is being challenged in court. Altman has brushed off concerns, saying in a post on X that Sora is as much about transparency -- showing the public what the technology can do -- as it is about building commercial momentum to fund OpenAI's broader ambitions around artificial general intelligence. The launch comes amid intensifying competition. Meta rolled out Vibes last week, a new short-form AI video feed inside its Meta AI app. Google has Veo 3, while ByteDance and Alibaba have also debuted rival systems. OpenAI, meanwhile, just committed to fresh spending of $850 billion, deepening its push into infrastructure and next-gen models.

OpenAI: There's a Small Chance Sora Would Create a Sexual Deepfake of You

When he's not battling bugs and robots in Helldivers 2, Michael is reporting on AI, satellites, cybersecurity, PCs, and tech policy. OpenAI's Sora app has been wowing the public with its ability to create AI-generated videos using people's likenesses, but the company admits the technology carries a small risk of producing sexual deepfakes. OpenAI mentioned the issue in Sora's system card, a safety report about the AI technology. By harnessing facial and voice data, Sora 2 can generate hyper-realistic visuals of users that are convincing enough to be difficult to distinguish from lower-quality deepfakes. OpenAI says Sora 2 includes "a robust safety stack," which can block it from generating a video during the input and output phases, or when the user types in a prompt and after Sora generates the content. Even with the safeguards, though, OpenAI found in a safety evaluation that Sora only blocked 98.4% of rule-breaking videos that contained "Adult Nudity" or "Sexual Content" using a person's likeness. The evaluation was conducted "using thousands of adversarial prompts gathered through targeted red-teaming," the company said, adding: "While layered safeguards are in place, some harmful behaviors or policy violations may still circumvent mitigations." Although the risk is small, it could be traumatic to see yourself in a sexual deepfake -- a problem that's plagued women for years. The Sora app can create a video based on your likeness through its "Cameo" feature; other people can use your face, too, with your permission. OpenAI's system card notes that the Sora app features "automated detection systems that scan video frames, scene descriptions, and audio transcripts aimed to block content that violates our guidelines," which can presumably prevent a sexual deepfake from circulating on the app. "We also have a proactive detection system, user reporting pathways to flag inappropriate content, and apply stricter thresholds to material surfaced in Sora 2's social feed," OpenAI adds. Still, details are scant about how OpenAI handles and retains the facial and audio data that users upload for the Cameo feature. The company's privacy policy doesn't directly address the Sora app and facial data. But in a blog post, OpenAI says: "Only you decide who can use your cameo, and you can revoke access at any time." "Videos that include your cameo -- including drafts created by other users -- are always visible to you. This lets you easily review and delete (and, if needed, report) any videos featuring your cameo," the blog post adds. "We also apply extra safety guardrails to any video with a cameo, and you can even set preferences for how your cameo behaves -- for example, requesting that it always wears a fedora." OpenAI didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. However, access to Sora is currently limited to a select number of users through an invite-only system. The app has also launched on iOS without support for video-to-video generation or text-to-video generation of public figures. In addition, the app blocks video generations of real people who haven't given consent for their likeness to be used in Sora's Cameo feature. "We'll continue to learn from how people use Sora 2 and refine the system to balance safety while maximizing creative potential," the system card adds. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI's Sora 2 Copyright Infringement Machine Features Nazi SpongeBobs and Criminal Pikachus

The main use of Sora appears to generate brainrot of major beloved copyrighted characters, to say nothing of the millions of articles, images, and videos OpenAI has scraped. Within moments of opening OpenAI's new AI slop app Sora, I am watching Pikachu steal Poké Balls from a CVS. Then I am watching SpongeBob-as-Hitler give a speech about the "scourge of fish ruining Bikini Bottom." Then I am watching a title screen for a Nintendo 64 game called "Mario's Schizophrenia." I swipe and I swipe and I swipe. Video after video shows Pikachu and South Park's Cartman doing ASMR; a pixel-perfect scene from the Simpsons that doesn't actually exist; a fake version of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or La La Land; Rick and Morty in Minecraft; Rick and Morty in Breath of the Wild; Rick and Morty talking about Sora; Toad from the Mario universe deadlifting; Michael Jackson dancing in a room that seems vaguely Russian; Charizard signing the Declaration of Independence, and Mario and Goku shaking hands. You get the picture. Sora 2 is the new video generation app/TikTok clone from OpenAI. As AI video generators go, it is immediately impressive in that it is slightly better than the video generators that came before it, just as every AI generator has been slightly better than the one that preceded it. From the get go, the app lets you insert yourself into its AI creations by saying three numbers and filming a short video of yourself looking at the camera, looking left, looking right, looking up, and looking down. It is, as Garbage Day just described it, a "slightly better looking AI slop feed," which I think is basically correct. Whenever a new tool like this launches, the thing that journalists and users do is probe the guardrails, which is how you get viral images of SpongeBob doing 9/11. The difference with Sora 2, I think, is that OpenAI, like X's Grok, has completely given up any pretense that this is anything other than a machine that is trained on other people's work that it did not pay for, and that can easily recreate that work. I recall a time when Nintendo and the Pokémon Company sued a broke fan for throwing an "unofficial Pokémon" party with free entry at a bar in Seattle, then demanded that fan pay them $5,400 for the poster he used to advertise it. This was the poster: With the release of Sora 2 it is maddening to remember all of the completely insane copyright lawsuits I've written about over the years -- some successful, some thrown out, some settled -- in which powerful companies like Nintendo, Disney, and Viacom sued powerless people who were often their own fans for minor infractions or use of copyrighted characters that would almost certainly be fair use. No real consequences of any sort have thus far come for OpenAI, and the company now seems completely disinterested in pretending that it did not train its tools on endless reams of copyrighted material. It is also, of course, tacitly encouraging people to pollute both its app and the broader internet with slop. Nintendo and Disney do not really seem to care that it is now easier than ever to make Elsa and Pikachu have sex or whatever, and that much of our social media ecosystem is now filled with things of that nature. Instagram, YouTube, and to a slightly lesser extent TikTok are already filled with AI slop of anything you could possibly imagine.And now OpenAI has cut out the extra step that required people to download and reupload their videos to social media and has launched its own slop feed, which is, at least for me, only slightly different than what I see daily on my Instagram feed. The main immediate use of Sora so far appears to be to allow people to generate brainrot of major beloved copyrighted characters, to say nothing of the millions of articles, blogs, books, images, videos, photos, and pieces of art that OpenAI has scraped from people far less powerful than, say, Nintendo. As a reward for this wide scale theft, OpenAI gets a $500 billion valuation. And we get a tool that makes it even easier to flood the internet with slightly better looking bullshit at the low, low cost of nearly all of the intellectual property ever created by our species, the general concept of the nature of truth, the devaluation of art through an endless flooding of the zone, and the knock-on environmental, energy, and negative labor costs of this entire endeavor.

Sora launches on App Store for video creation from ChatGPT maker - 9to5Mac

OpenAI has just launched its second iPhone app, joining ChatGPT. Sora is a brand new standalone app for AI video creation. Here are the details. Sora is OpenAI's video creation tool, and it's about to get a lot more popular. OpenAI has released its first ever Sora app for the iPhone. It's available now on the App Store, though using the app requires special access for the time being. What exactly can Sora do? From the App Store release notes: Turn your ideas into videos and drop yourself into the action. Sora is a new kind of creative app that turns text prompts and images into hyperreal videos with sound using the latest advancements from OpenAI. A single sentence can unfold into a cinematic scene, an anime short, or remix of a friend's video. If you can write it, you can see it, remix it, and share it. Turn your words into worlds with Sora. Explore, play, and share your imagination in a community built for experimentation. Here are the bulleted features in the release notes: Do you plan to use the Sora app for iPhone? Have you used the tool much before now? Let us know in the comments.

OpenAI's Sora Video App Is Jaw-Dropping (for Better and Worse)

This week, we -- the two authors of this article -- spent hours scrolling through a feed of short-form videos that featured ourselves in different scenarios. In one hyper-realistic nine-second video, we were shown skydiving (and grinning) with pizzas as parachutes. In another, Eli hit a game-winning home run in a baseball stadium full of robots. In yet another, Mike was caught in a "Matrix"-style duel against Ronald McDonald, using cheeseburgers as weapons. "I'm genuinely blown away," Eli messaged Mike about the cheeseburger video, before liking the content. Mike kept sending videos -- which included him ballroom dancing with his dog and sitting on a throne of rats -- to other New York Times colleagues (all of whom found the clips slightly disturbing). The app we used was not TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, the current leaders of short-form video. It was Sora, a smartphone app made by OpenAI that lets people create such videos entirely from artificial intelligence. Sora's underlying technology debuted last year, but its latest version -- which is faster, more powerful and can incorporate your likeness if you upload images of your face -- was released on an invitation-only basis this week. After spending less than a day with the app, what became clear to us was that Sora had gone beyond being an A.I.-video generation app. Instead, it is, in effect, a social network in disguise; a clone of TikTok down to its user interface, algorithmic video suggestions and ability to follow and interact with friends. The powerful A.I. model that Sora is built on makes it simpler to produce clips, giving people an almost unlimited ability to generate as many A.I. videos as they want. It was also disconcerting. Almost instantly, Sora's early-access users were spinning up videos made with copyrighted material plucked from pop culture. (We saw more "Rick and Morty" and Pikachu videos than we would have liked.) And when Mike posted one Sora video to his personal Instagram page, a half-dozen friends asked if it was him in the video, raising questions about whether we might lose touch with reality. Worse still, being able to quickly and easily generate video likenesses of people could pour gasoline on disinformation, creating clips of fake events that look so real that they might spur people into real-world action. While some of this was already possible with other A.I. video generators, Sora could turbocharge it. It is early days, and there is no guarantee Sora will have legs. But OpenAI appears to have created the type of product that companies like Meta and X have sought to build: a way to bring A.I. to the masses that people can share, enticing one another to create posts and regularly use their apps and services. The race to create similar apps is heating up. Last week, Meta released a social media feed in its dedicated A.I. app called Vibes, which uses an A.I. video generator from the start-up Midjourney. Google hosts Veo, its version of a similar product. With the social internet moving from people sharing text messages to posting photos and now to watching billions of hours of video, tech executives say that A.I. video tools will be formative to the next generation of social media. "We felt that the best way to bring this technology to the masses is through something that is somewhat social," Rohan Sahai, OpenAI's product lead for Sora, said in an interview. "When you have such drastically shifting technology -- a new form factor, even -- our goal and philosophy as a company is to get it out there." (The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. The two companies have denied those claims.) The new Sora looks just like TikTok and has the same "For You" name for its social feed. Users can scan their faces to appear as avatars in the videos, or use images of other people, such as OpenAI's chief executive, Sam Altman. OpenAI calls this feature "Cameos," the same name as the popular app where people buy custom videos from their favorite celebrities. Some safety experts said Sora and the Cameos feature specifically could lead to new kinds of misinformation and scams. One Sora video that went viral is of an artificial Mr. Altman stealing a graphics processing unit from a department store, as if recorded by a security camera. "It makes it really easy to create a believable deepfake in a way that we haven't quite seen yet," said Rachel Tobac, the chief executive of SocialProof Security, a cybersecurity start-up. Sora has restrictions on some sexual and copyrighted content. You can make a video with the characters of the television show "South Park," for instance, but not Batman or Superman figures. Rights holders must opt out of their work being used in Sora through a copyright disputes form on a case-by-case basis. Public figures may choose to grant permission for their likenesses to be used by Sora. "We'll work with rights holders to block characters from Sora at their request and respond to takedown requests," Varun Shetty, OpenAI's head of media partnerships, said in a statement. As Sora clips began circulating on X, TikTok and other social platforms this week, they were received with surprise, delight and disgust. One fear is that Sora will add to what has become known as "slop," a disparaging term for the fast-growing number of nonsensical A.I.-generated videos flooding social networks. In July, an A.I. clip of a baby piloting a 747 was one of the most watched videos on YouTube. In recent weeks, an A.I.-generated video of an elderly woman holding a boulder and crashing through a glass bridge over a canyon went viral on Facebook and X, spawning dozens of look-alike clips. Mr. Sahai, the OpenAI product leader, said that just as other social networks had democratized tools for creators, a significant amount of content, across the quality spectrum, would be produced with Sora, but the highest quality work would rise to the top. He noted that some jokes shared between friends might seem like nonsense to outsiders, but be fun and relevant to small groups. "One man's slop is another man's gold," Mr. Sahai said. Hollywood has spent the past 36 hours concerned over how Sora could make it simple for users to rip off their likenesses with no compensation. A day after the app's release, executives at the talent agency WME sent a memo to agents saying they would fight to defend their clients' work, according to a copy viewed by The Times. "There is a strong need for real protections for artists and creatives as they encounter A.I. models using their intellectual property, as well as their name, image and likeness," the memo said. WME said it told OpenAI that all of its clients were opting out of having their likenesses or intellectual property included in Sora's videos. Still, Sora's broad appeal was immediately clear. Nether of us know the first thing about creating videos, yet all it took was a kernel of an idea, two or three minutes of processing time and a boatload of computing power to spit out a video of Mike arm wrestling Eli for the title of "best tech reporter." (Eli won.) Not everyone was charmed. After Mike showed his partner an eerily realistic Sora video of himself playing the psychopathic character Anton Chigurh from the 2007 film adaptation of the book "No Country for Old Men," she had a simple request. "Please never, ever show me this kind of video again," she said. Nicole Sperling contributed reporting from Los Angeles.

OpenAI's Sora 2.0 can generate hyperrealistic AI videos of you and your friends

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. What just happened? OpenAI has released Sora 2, the latest version of its AI video generator, building on the original Sora launched last year. The updated model introduces several new features, including the ability to create AI-generated audio that synchronizes seamlessly with video. Sora 2.0 is accompanied by an invite-only mobile app called Sora, which lets users generate AI videos of themselves and their friends. The app features a TikTok-style personalized feed, primarily showcasing AI videos from people the user follows or interacts with most. OpenAI emphasizes that Sora is designed to encourage creation rather than passive consumption, setting it apart from traditional social media platforms. Sora enables users to generate new videos from text prompts or remix existing content. A standout feature, Cameos, allows users to insert themselves and their friends into AI-generated scenes. This requires a one-time audio and video recording, but users retain full ownership of their content and can delete any videos that include their likeness or voice. OpenAI has built safety measures into Sora to protect teen users, acknowledging the risks social media apps can pose to children. Daily usage limits are applied for teens, and parents can monitor and moderate activity through ChatGPT-based parental controls. At launch, Sora is available exclusively on iOS in the US and Canadian App Stores, with an Android version planned for the near future and expansion to other markets forthcoming. Sora 2 is offered for free at launch, though usage is subject to certain limits. OpenAI says Sora 2.0 has corrected many of the shortcomings of its predecessor, producing highly accurate depictions of complex actions such as backflips and other gymnastics routines. The updated model now respects the laws of physics, rather than following prompts at any cost. To illustrate these improvements, OpenAI cited an example of a basketball shot. While the earlier model might have artificially teleported the ball into the hoop, Sora 2 allows the ball to bounce off the backboard or rim, adhering to real-world physics. The company also emphasized safeguards against misuse. Users cannot generate AI videos of people without their consent, and photorealistic depictions of public figures are restricted to prevent misinformation. In addition, OpenAI worked with external testers and AI experts to block content that involves extremism, nudity, self-harm, or political manipulation.

Kiss reality goodbye: AI-generated social media has arrived

A fascist SpongeBob SquarePants, a dog driving a car and Jesus playing Minecraft - these are just a few of the things you can see as you flip through OpenAI's new app populated exclusively with short-form videos generated using artificial intelligence. And if you can't find what you're looking for, don't worry: you can make it with ease using a small text-based prompt window in the app. The result is a highly addictive stream of sometimes funny and sometimes strange 10-second videos. OpenAI released the Sora app on Tuesday, just days after Meta released a similar product as part of its Meta AI platform. NPR took an early look and found that OpenAI's app could easily generate very realistic videos, including of real individuals (with their permission). The early results are both wowing and worrying researchers. "You can create insanely real looking videos, with your friends saying things that they would never say," said Solomon Messing, an associate professor at New York University in the Center for Social Media and Politics. "I think we might be in the era where seeing is not believing." The Sora 2 app looks and feels remarkably like other vertical video social media apps like TikTok. It comes with a few different settings- it's possible to choose videos by mood, for example. Users are allowed control over how their face is in used "end-to-end" in AI-generated videos, according to OpenAI. That means users can allow their faces to be used by everyone, a small circle of friends, or only themselves. What's more, they are allowed to remove videos showing their likeness at any time. Sora also comes with ways to identify its content as AI-generated. Videos downloaded from the app contain moving watermarks bearing the Sora logo, and the files have embedded metadata that identifies them as AI-made, according to the company. OpenAI says it has placed guardrails on what the app can make. A company spokesperson also directed NPR to Sora's system card, which prohibits generating content that could be used for things like "deceit, fraud, scams, spam, or impersonation." "To support enforcement, we provide in-app reporting, combine automation with human review to detect patterns of misuse, and apply penalties or remove content when violations occur," the document reads. But NPR's brief time using the app found that the guardrails appeared to be somewhat loose around Sora. While many prompts were refused, it was possible to generate videos that support conspiracy theories. For example it was easy to create a video of what appeared to be President Richard Nixon giving a televised address telling America the moon landing was faked. And one of astronaut Neil Armstrong removing his helmet on the moon. NPR was also able to generate videos that depicted a drone attack on a power plant. That too seemed to violate guidelines on violence and (possibly) terrorism. In addition, the app seemed to contain other loopholes. NPR was able to get it to produce short videos on topics related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons in direct contradiction of OpenAI's global usage policies. (The videos created were never shared and contained inaccuracies that would make them useless to anyone seeking this kind of information.) While it's unclear whether other users were finding similar exploits, a quick review of content shows that Sora is being used to generate an enormous volume of videos depicting trademarked brands and copyrighted material. One video depicted Ronald McDonald fleeing police in a hamburger car. Many others included characters from popular cartoons and video games. OpenAI told NPR that it was aware of the use of copyrighted material in Sora but felt it was giving its users more freedom by allowing it. "People are eager to engage with their family and friends through their own imaginations, as well as stories, characters, and worlds they love, and we see new opportunities for creators to deepen their connection with the fans," said Vaun Shetty, OpenAI's head of media partnerships, in a written statement shared with NPR. "We'll work with rights holders to block characters from Sora at their request and respond to takedown requests." OpenAI is currently being sued by The New York Times for copyright infringement with its Large Language Model, ChatGPT. Just what the effect of a social media world driven entirely by AI remains unclear, said Messing. Many researchers were deeply concerned about "deepfakes" when AI video first appeared, and yet few of those videos gain traction. "We were all collectively panicked about deepfakes a couple of years ago, but society hasn't really decayed because of deepfakes," he said. At the same time, Messing said, the videos so easily created by the Sora app could be the ushering in of a new era where seeing online is no longer believing: "This just leaves me sort of speechless," he said. "I did not quite understand just how good the content is."

OpenAI just launched Sora 2 -- here's how to join the waitlist

Today's launch of Sora 2 is a leap forward; OpenAI promises the updated video generator is now even more aware of how objects and people move in the real world and says it can generate videos far better than before. But those eager to test the new model may have to wait indefinitely. While the launch of Sora 2 includes a new iOS app designed to make AI video collaborative, social and fun, users must be invited to Sora 2. OpenAI is rolling out access gradually: If you want in, the best move is to ensure you're subscribed to ChatGPT Pro or Plus and watch for the invite notification. Otherwise, you'll need to keep an eye out for a friend pass. The second generation promises improvements that make AI video more convincing and versatile: OpenAI has a new initiative with Sora 2, one that encourages collaborative generation. With 10-second video generation (that's 2 seconds more than Veo 3), here's what's possible within the app: This "AI-first social video app" framing is new territory for OpenAI, and it's what the company hopes will make Sora 2 a success, not just another technical milestone. The Cameos are fun, but they raise a slew of questions about how OpenAI intends to keep the identities of its users safe. Here's how the company intends to do that: OpenAI is hoping that the combination of provenance, watermarks and parental controls will be enough to get ahead of the inevitable deepfakes, but only time will tell as the model rolls out and users find workarounds. With the success Google has seen from Veo 3, which is arguably the best video generator available, Sora 2 is entering a competitive market with what the company hopes to be an innovative solution to stand out, merging creation, identity and sharing into a single platform. That could open the door for everyday users, not just video producers or expert content creators, to cameo in skits, remix friends' clips or scroll a feed of AI-made shorts. If GPT-4 helped ChatGPT go mainstream, Sora 2 could be the moment AI video takes off the same way.

OpenAI's Sora App Creates Realistic AI Videos of You and Your Friends

OpenAI today announced the launch of Sora, an invite-only AI video app and social network. Sora lets you create realistic AI videos of yourself, friends, and other people. Sora uses the Sora 2 video generation model, which OpenAI says is more physically accurate, realistic, and controllable than prior systems. It is able to generate complex movements while better obeying the laws of physics, and OpenAI says it excels at realistic, cinematic, and anime styles. Sora 2 supports generating video that also includes audio, such as real-sounding speech, background soundscapes, and sound effects. The AI model is able to observe a video of a person and then insert them into a Sora-generated environment while accurately portraying their appearance and voice, which is the basis for the new Sora app. With the Sora app, you can create a video of yourself that can then be inserted into "cameos," which are short videos that are shared with others on the Sora social network. You can opt to allow other people to create cameos with your likeness as well. You can choose who can use your cameo, and you will see all videos that include cameos with your likeness, even drafts before they are published to the network. OpenAI designed Sora to show you content based on people you follow or interact with, and the app will poll you regularly on your wellbeing. There are controls to modify what's displayed in a feed, and OpenAI says that it is meant to be used with friends. For that reason, Sora is invite only, ensuring people join the app alongside people they know. The Sora app for iOS is available to download now, and it can be used in the United States and Canada. Those invited to the app will be able to use Sora 2 on the Sora website. Sora 2 is free for now, and ChatGPT Pro users have access to the Sora 2 Pro model on Sora.com.

OpenAI's Sora 2 adds tools to prevent unauthorized deepfakes

OpenAI's second-generation AI video model, Sora 2, is stirring up controversy, less than a week after the AI giant unveiled the highly anticipated tool and its corresponding app. The hubbub stems from Sora 2's impressive but alarming ability to generate just about anything in precise detail. Shortly after its launch, users flooded the platform -- pitched as a video-forward social media app in the likeness of TikTok or Reels -- with alleged celebrity deepfakes, sensitive political content, and licensed characters. Sora 2's safeguards are seemingly more robust than its competitors -- such as those on Grok -- reported Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth. Sora 2 has easy reporting mechanisms for sexual and violent content, harassment, and child endangerment. As a way to prevent deepfakes, Sora 2 is also supposed to block users from uploading content that features faces. In theory, Sora 2's face ban should prevent users from creating a deepfake of someone without their consent. But OpenAI's own solution to nonconsensual deepfakes, a feature known as Cameos, has posed its own problems. Cameos are "reusable characters" modeled after users based on audio and video that they upload. Users have to opt-in to their own deepfake, and can then grant access to their digital likeness on four levels: Only you, people you approve, friends, or everyone. Until now, that was the extent to which Cameos could be controlled, meaning if you had your Cameo toggled to app-wide access, your likeness could be made to do just anything. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Responding to user concerns, OpenAI has since acknowledged the safety issues free access to someone's digital likeness can pose, announcing new content restrictions for the Cameos. Here's what you need to know if you're trying to make your Cameo a star. In an X post by Sora head Bill Peebles, users were directed to a thread by OpenAI technical staffer Thomas Dimson, explaining that the new Cameo settings include both content preferences and restrictions. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. To lock down your Cameo, go to your profile. Select "settings" and then "edit cameo." Tap on "Cameo preferences" and choose "restrictions." From there, users can set more precise limits on what their Cameo can do and say using text prompts, like "Don't put me in videos that involve political commentary" or "Don't let me say this word," Peebles explained. You can also ensure that your Cameo appears with specific details, such as wearing an identifying clothing item. If you want to make sure no one but you can use your likeness, make sure you've selected "only me" in the "Cameo rules" section. And if you don't want to make a Cameo at all, users can opt-out while signing up. Peebles added that Sora 2 is still undergoing tweaks to its model safety, and will be making the Sora 2 watermark more distinct, acknowledging that users may be frustrated with "overmoderation" on the app. "We think it's important to be conservative here while the world is still adjusting to this new technology."

OpenAI's Sora app follows Napster and Uber's playbook

Driving the news: The Sora app, released last Tuesday, has risen to the top of Apple's App Store rankings, even as access to generate videos remains by invitation only. * In a late Friday blog post, Sam Altman said that the company is going to "give rightsholders more granular control over generation of characters," likening it to the way that individuals can choose how their own likeness is used in Sora. * The company said it needs to monetize video generation. * That could mean a subscription, ads, or both. * Altman did not offer timing or further details of how any of this will work and OpenAI declined to comment beyond the blog post. Catch-up quick: Sora allows people to generate videos that mimic nearly any genre, including copyrighted content from movies and TV shows. * The app allows people to describe a video they want and insert an AI version of themselves or their friends (with permission). * Although embedded with both a visual watermark and digital content credentials indicating the videos are AI-generated, many see the app as a supercharger of effortless deepfakes. * Among the early examples that have gone viral are clips of Sam Altman shoplifting GPUs from Target and another that has Altman watching a series of Pokemon march by, with Altman saying he hopes Nintendo doesn't sue. What they're saying: Some users have been thoroughly enjoying the viral video tool, while others say it's a glorified slop spreader. * Creating an instant meme maker seems at odds with Altman's Abundant Intelligence blog last month that explained that without more compute the company would have to choose between curing cancer and teaching children. * OpenAI's focus is centered on research efforts and the quest for AGI, Altman responded, but "it is also nice to show people cool new tech/products along the way, make them smile, and hopefully make some money given all that compute need." Between the lines: By releasing Sora before coming to terms with copyright holders, Altman is allowing creators to see the potential market in action before deciding their approach. * Altman warned of a bumpy road ahead. "Please expect a very high rate of change from us; it reminds me of the early days of ChatGPT," he wrote. "We will make some good decisions and some missteps, but we will take feedback and try to fix the missteps very quickly." The bottom line: As with disruptive tech of decades past (Napster, Uber, Airbnb), the "ask forgiveness, not permission" ethos that powered the web's previous waves is back, this time moving at the speed of AI.

OpenAI launch of video app Sora plagued by violent and racist images: 'The guardrails are not real'

Misinformation researchers say lifelike scenes could obfuscate truth and lead to fraud, bullying and intimidation OpenAI launched the latest iteration of its artificial intelligence-powered video generator on Tuesday, adding a social feed that allows people to share their realistic videos. Within hours of Sora 2's, release, though, many of the videos populating the feed and spilling over to older social media platforms depicted copyrighted characters in compromising situations as well as graphic scenes of violence and racism. OpenAI's own terms of service for Sora as well as ChatGPT's image or text generation prohibit content that "promotes violence" or, more broadly, "causes harm". In prompts and clips reviewed by the Guardian, Sora generated several videos of bomb and mass-shooting scares, with panicked people screaming and running across college campuses and in crowded places like New York's Grand Central Station. Other prompts created scenes from war zones in Gaza and Myanmar, where children fabricated by AI spoke about their homes being burned. One video with the prompt "Ethiopia footage civil war news style" had a reporter in a bulletproof vest speaking into a microphone saying the government and rebel forces were exchanging fire in residential neighborhoods. Another video, created with only the prompt "Charlottesville rally", showed a Black protester in a gas mask, helmet and goggles yelling: "You will not replace us" - a white supremacist slogan. The video generator is invite-only and not yet available to the general public. Even still, in the three days since its limited release, it skyrocketed to the No 1 spot in Apple's App Store, beating out OpenAI's own ChapGPT. "It's been epic to see what the collective creativity of humanity is capable of so far," Bill Peebles, the head of Sora, posted on X on Friday. "We're sending more invite codes soon, I promise!" The Sora app gives a glimpse into a near future where separating truth from fiction could become increasingly difficult, should the videos spread widely beyond the AI-only feed, as they have begun to. Misinformation researchers say that such lifelike scenes could obfuscate the truth and create situations where these AI videos could be used for fraud, bullying and intimidation. "It has no fidelity to history, it has no relationship to the truth," said Joan Donovan, an assistant professor at Boston University who studies media manipulation and misinformation. "When cruel people get their hands on tools like this, they will use them for hate, harassment and incitement." OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman described the launch of Sora 2 as "really great", saying in a blog post that "this feels to many of us like the 'ChatGPT for creativity' moment, and it feels fun and new". Altman admitted to "some trepidation", acknowledging how social media can be addictive and used for bullying and that AI video generation can create what's known as "slop", a slew of repetitive, low-quality videos that can overwhelm a platform. "The team has put great care and thought into trying to figure out how to make a delightful product that doesn't fall into that trap," Altman wrote. He said OpenAI had also put in place mitigations on using someone's likeness and safeguards for disturbing or illegal content. For example, the app refused to make a video of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin sharing cotton candy. In the three days since Sora's launch, however, many of these videos have already made their way elsewhere online. Drew Harwell, a reporter for the Washington Post, created a video of Altman himself as a second world war military leader. Harwell also said he was able to make videos with "ragebait, fake crimes and women splattered with white goo". Sora's feed is full of videos of copyrighted characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, South Park and Rick and Morty. The app had no trouble generating videos of Pikachu raising tariffs on China, stealing roses from the White House Rose Garden or participating in a Black Lives Matter protest alongside SpongeBob, who, in another video, declared and planned a war on the United States. In a video documented by 404 Media, SpongeBob was dressed like Adolf Hitler. Paramount, Warner Bros and Pokémon Co did not return requests for comment. David Karpf, an associate professor at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, said he had viewed videos of copyrighted characters promoting cryptocurrency scams. He said it's clear OpenAI's safeguards and mitigations for Sora aren't working. "The guardrails are not real if people are already creating copyrighted characters promoting fake crypto scams," Karpf said. "In 2022, [the tech companies] would have made a big deal about how they were hiring content moderators ... In 2025, this is the year that tech companies have decided they don't give a shit." Shortly before OpenAI released Sora 2, the company reached out to talent agencies and studios, alerting them that if they didn't want their copyrighted material replicated by the video generator, they would have to opt out, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. OpenAI told the Guardian that content owners can flag copyright infringement using a "copyright disputes form", but that individual artists or studios cannot have a blanket opt-out. Varun Shetty, OpenAI's head of media partnerships, said: "We'll work with rights holders to block characters from Sora at their request and respond to takedown requests." Emily Bender, a professor at the University of Washington and author of the book The AI Con, said Sora is creating a dangerous situation where it's "harder to find trustworthy sources and harder to trust them once found". "Synthetic media machines, whether designed to extrude text, images or video, are a scourge on our information ecosystem," Bender said. "Their outputs function analogously to an oil spill, flowing through connections of technical and social infrastructure, weakening and breaking relationships of trust."

OpenAI's Sora 2 Generates Audio and Comes With Its Own App

OpenAI has launched Sora 2, its latest AI video generator that will further undermine people's belief in what is real and what isn't. CEO Sam Altman says that "creativity could be about to go through a Cambrian explosion, and along with it, the quality of art and entertainment can drastically increase." The company livestreamed the announcement yesterday, following it up with a sizzle reel showing what Sora 2 is capable of. See below. Unlike the first Sora model, the new one generates sound that can be synchronized with the video. It also has its own app called Sora, where users can create shareable 10-second video clips based on prompts or photos. Inside the app, users can create, remix other people's videos, and discover new videos in a customizable Sora feed. AI videos are known for their mistakes, and while OpenAI says the physics of Sora 2 are still "imperfect," it is an improvement on past models. To emphasize the point, OpenAI shared a generated video of a person doing gymnastics, a subject AI has struggled with in the past. There is also a new "Cameo" feature in Sora 2, which allows users to insert themselves or others into videos. However, anyone wanting to appear in an AI video will be required to verify their identity by a one-time video and audio recording of themselves. "The team worked very hard on character consistency. The cameo feature is something we have really enjoyed during testing, and is to many of us a surprisingly compelling new way to connect," Altman writes on X. "Video models are getting very good, very quickly," OpenAI says in a blog post. "General-purpose world simulators and robotic agents will fundamentally reshape society and accelerate the arc of human progress. Sora 2 represents significant progress towards that goal." Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported OpenAI informed Hollywood studios that unless they explicitly opt out, their copyrighted content may appear in Sora output. It comes after Disney and Warner Bros. launched a lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney for allowing users to generate their copyrighted characters. Right now, the Sora app is invite-only and exclusive to iOS. That will likely change in the coming weeks.

OpenAI just launched Sora 2 - an AI video app that lets you star in the scenes you generate

The Sora app features an opt-in "cameo" tool, allowing you to insert your face and voice into AI-generated clips OpenAI has released the highly anticipated Sora 2 AI video creation model, introducing it alongside an unexpected new invite-only iOS app. Sora 2 is a step above its earlier iteration, most notably with the new "cameo" feature that lets you inject your likeness and voice into any Sora production. Sora 2 is a striking achievement in terms of realism and audio links, based on the demonstrations. It also offers some fine-tuning controls that keep the videos closer to what the users envision. It helps that Sora 2 can't be as easily tricked into warping physics as its predecessor and that it sustains environmental details across shots. Background sound and dialogue are synced instead of floating arbitrarily. If Sora was made to prove OpenAI could make an AI video generator, the company sees Sora 2 as a way to show off some use cases through social networks. That's why Sora 2 is also an app. The Sora app goes for an almost TikTok-style interface, with a personalized feed, the chance to remix others' videos, and to make your own using text prompts and pre-existing styles. And the movies can star you, if you upload a short video of you moving and talking as a template. Friends can invite each other into scenes and collaborate, but only with permission. All videos that feature you are visible to you, and access can be revoked or limited at any time. OpenAI is clearly aware of the sensitivities involved. Deepfakes, impersonation, and visual disinformation are not theoretical risks; they're already part of the online ecosystem. So Sora's cameo system requires explicit opt-in, identity verification, and end-to-end visibility for users. There are controls for parents, moderators to review flagged content, and usage limits for teenagers. Cameos of minors have extra restrictions. The system also limits generation per day for younger users to reduce compulsive behavior. After so long behind professional restrictions, it's quite a shift for OpenAI to lean into social media as a way of enticing Sora 2 users. But the competition has never been more intense, so it makes sense in some ways. Whether Google's Veo models, Runway's latest streamlined video maker, or Meta's Vibes, there are a lot of options for AI video creation. That may be why OpenAI is now seeking not only those looking to make a short film with no money, but also people who want to make a fun video where they can fly. This focus on casual, remixable creativity feels more like the early days of Vine or Snapchat than the next Netflix. And if Sora 2 can make AI video sharing as easy and common as the non-AI version, it might become as much a part of the background of social media (for better, and often worse) as AI-generated images. You won't be impressed that your friend sent you a Sora clip with both of you as adventurers in a cave. You'll wonder why they didn't add a punchline.

OpenAI debuts Sora 2 AI video generator app with sound and self-insertion cameos, API coming soon

OpenAI today announced the release of Sora 2, its latest video generation model, which now includes AI generated audio matching the generated video, as well. It is paired with the launch of a new iOS app simply called Sora, that allows users to insert and edit with AI videos of themselves and their friends alongside them with a new "Cameo" feature -- though OpenAI says there are robust protections and identity safeguard measures in place to prevent someone's identity from being inserted into AI videos without their consent or approval. In addition, the company said a Sora application programming interface (API) is in the works that will allow third-party developers to pipe the new Sora 2 model into their own video editing applications, unlock new, more fine-grained and professional editing capabilities, and generally push the frontier video generation model into new directions. Furthermore, OpenAI says an Android mobile app is also in the works. WIRED magazine (which my wife runs) first leaked the news that a Sora 2 AI mobile app was being developed about a day before the official OpenAI announcement. ChatGPT users in the U.S. and Canada will be first to get their hands on the new model and app, though OpenAI said it plans to expand access to other countries in the coming days and weeks. Sora 2 is available free with usage limits for all users, while ChatGPT Pro subscribers gain access to a higher-quality "Sora 2 Pro" model; ChatGPT Plus users do not receive additional benefits beyond the free tier. The release was presented during a livestream on YouTube hosted by OpenAI Sora team researchers Bill Peebles, Rohan Sahai, and Thomas Dimson, who walked viewers through the model's capabilities, the cameo feature, and the roadmap for upcoming tools. A Step Forward in Video AI It's hard to recall now, but OpenAI wowed the world with its realistic AI video when it first teased its original Sora video model in early 2024, only to stagger the roll out slowly to a small number of creative partners until it finally released it to the public in December 2024. By then, the entire AI video generation space had largely moved on, and has continued to advance in the subsequent months, with numerous other photorealistic AI video models from startups Runway, Luma, Kling, Higgsfield and many other competitors emerging, many with better quality and baked-in audio generation, which the original OpenAI Sora model and editor lacked -- until today. OpenAI describes the original Sora as its "GPT-1 moment" for video, a point when video generation first started to show signs of plausibility. Sora 2, by contrast, is framed as something closer to a "GPT-3.5 moment," marked by more advanced physics, realism, and controllability. The model can handle complex actions such as gymnastic routines or paddleboard tricks while obeying physical rules like momentum and buoyancy. Unlike earlier systems that might "teleport" a basketball into a hoop, Sora 2 renders a realistic rebound when a shot is missed. It also synchronizes dialogue, background audio, and sound effects, producing cohesive video-audio experiences across styles ranging from photorealistic to anime. A standout feature is "Cameos", which let users insert themselves or friends into generated scenes after a short one-time recording to capture likeness and voice. Presenters emphasized during the livestream that cameo use is fully opt-in, protected by verification challenges to prevent impersonation, and revocable at any time. Here's an example of a cameo Sora 2 video featuring an OpenAI researcher interacting with bigfoot: The Sora App The new Sora app serves as the primary entry point for the model. It enables users to create and remix videos, browse a personalized feed, and collaborate socially. Users can drop themselves into others' videos through cameos, remix trending creations with their own twist, and guide style and tone through prompts. The app is invite-based at launch, with OpenAI aiming to ensure people join alongside friends. According to the company, the feed is designed differently from typical social media platforms. Instead of maximizing time spent scrolling, the app prioritizes discovery of videos likely to inspire creation. Content is weighted toward people a user follows or interacts with, and personalization can be adjusted through natural language instructions. Sora is available on iOS for free, with generous usage limits subject to compute capacity. Over time, OpenAI plans to offer optional paid tiers for generating extra videos when demand is high. ChatGPT Pro subscribers will also gain access to a higher-quality "Sora 2 Pro" model via sora.com and, eventually, in the app. An Android version is in development. Identity Protection and Cameos The cameo system is also central to identity protection on the platform. * Setup and verification: To create a cameo, users record a short video and dynamic audio sample in the app. OpenAI's systems validate the sample with audio challenges to ensure authenticity and prevent impersonation. * Control over permissions: Once verified, a user chooses who can use their cameo in generations: only themselves, selected contacts, mutuals, or everyone. These permissions can be edited at any time in cameo settings. * Customization: Users can adjust how the model portrays them, correcting quirks like clothing or accent hallucinations, or adding playful stylistic variations. * Revocation and deletion rights: At any moment, a cameo owner can revoke access. They also have the right to delete any video featuring their likeness -- including drafts created by others. OpenAI describes this as giving users ownership-style control over their identity within the system. Safety for Teens and the General Audience OpenAI has placed heavy emphasis on teen safety and wellbeing features at launch. * Anti-doomscrolling design: For users under 18, the app disables infinite scroll by default. Instead, the feed naturally pauses after a set number of videos, requiring a cooldown before resuming. Even adult users are nudged if they appear to be caught in extended passive scrolling, as the app prioritizes creativity over consumption. * Content safeguards for minors: When classifiers detect a potential minor in an uploaded cameo recording or image, stricter thresholds apply. This ensures that subsequent generations are filtered against additional categories of harmful or inappropriate output. * Privacy defaults: Teen accounts come with stronger privacy settings, limiting how their likeness can be used, restricting discovery by adults, and adding barriers to unsolicited contact. * Parental controls: Parents can use ChatGPT-linked tools to adjust a teen's experience. These controls can override feed limits, disable algorithmic personalization, manage cameo permissions, and restrict direct messaging. These measures reflect OpenAI's intent to balance experimentation with wellbeing, recognizing concerns about addictive behavior and harmful social dynamics. Safety and Provenance Alongside these identity protections, OpenAI's system card outlines broader safeguards: * Input and output moderation using multimodal classifiers. * Restrictions on generating public figures or photorealistic likenesses without consent. * Automated detection of harmful content, with extra scrutiny applied to Sora's social feed. * Provenance features such as C2PA metadata, visible moving watermarks on downloaded videos, and internal tracing to verify AI-generated content. The company partnered with external red-team testers to stress-test the system against categories like extremism, nudity, self-harm, and political manipulation. Roadmap: Storyboards and API Beyond the app, OpenAI highlighted new features in development for sora.com, including storyboard tools that will let creators control how a video unfolds shot by shot. According to the livestream, storyboard capabilities are expected within weeks. The company also confirmed that an API for Sora 2 will roll out "in the coming weeks," opening the model to developers who want to integrate video generation into their own tools and editors. "There's a long tail of use cases where people do amazing things, where we might not want to build fine-grained editing controls, but others might," one presenter explained. Altman's Reflections OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared his perspective in a personal blog post accompanying the launch. He described Sora as "the ChatGPT for creativity moment" and said early testers found the cameo feature a surprisingly compelling way to connect with others. Altman also acknowledged potential downsides. "We are aware of how addictive a service like this could become, and we can imagine many ways it could be used for bullying," he wrote. He cautioned against the risk of an "RL-optimized slop feed," but emphasized that the team has worked to design around that outcome. He outlined several guiding principles: optimizing for long-term user satisfaction, giving users control over their feeds, prioritizing creation, and helping people achieve their goals. If users do not feel their lives are improved after several months, Altman said OpenAI would make significant changes, or discontinue the service entirely. What Comes Next For now, Sora 2 is available through the app and sora.com, with API access coming soon. Sora 1 Turbo remains active, and users' past creations will stay accessible in their libraries. OpenAI frames Sora 2 not only as a tool for entertainment and creativity but also as a step toward broader ambitions in world simulation and AI systems that can interact with physical reality. As the Sora team put it in their announcement, the system is still imperfect, but it signals progress toward "simulating reality" while offering users a playful new way to experiment with video. The combination of new tools, a social app designed to prioritize creation, a robust identity protection framework, and an API aimed at developers suggests OpenAI sees Sora 2 as both a consumer product and a platform. Whether it becomes a staple of digital creativity will depend not only on its technical abilities but also on how effectively the company manages safety, wellbeing, and user trust in the months ahead.

OpenAI's Sora leaps to the top of the app download charts

Sora, the text-to-video generative AI chatbot from OpenAI, has quickly become the most-downloaded app since its recent update to the Sora 2 platform, highlighting the growing impact of the company's suite of products. What's happened? OpenAI launched Sora, a social app that could generate AI videos. It immediately climbed the App Store charts, hitting the third spot on debut and ultimately reaching number one a day after. The app launched on September 30, 2025 in an invite-only release in the U.S. and Canada. Sora allows users to create hyperreal short videos based on text inputs and users can add themselves or their friends into generated videos. In the report by 9to5mac via AppFigures, about 56,000 U.S. installs were recorded on day one and about 108,000 installs on day two. Why is it important? It's a new milestone for generative AI, and a critical move as companies like Google make waves with image generation tools like Nano Banana. Sora 2 makes high-quality, text-to-video generation a social product, not merely simple responses or answers, and these download numbers show that there's a strong appetite for that. This positions OpenAI in competition for short-form video where Meta, TikTok and Google are already playing. Why should I care? If you're a content creator, Sora significantly reduces threshold of creating attention-grabbing short videos since making videos require no camera, no live shoot, excessive editing or actors. However, there are also safety, ethics and identity risks since Sora's hyperreal outputs are concerns for topics of consent, deepfakes and misinformation. What's next? OpenAI will most likely extend invites outside the U.S./Canada and look for wider rollouts. The application could also find itself examined by safety teams, authorities, and the public. OpenAI is meant to stop the app from being used for inappropriate content, but CNBC has reported that some users have already found a way around those protections. Many existing short-form video apps might hasten their own generative features or product experimentation to retain users from shifting to Sora.

Why AI Companies Are Pivoting to Short-Form Video

OpenAI's new short-form video app, Sora, seems to have all the ingredients of a viral hit. Just hours after the app's launch on Tuesday, memes created using its AI video-generation technology were already spreading to other social networks -- including, for example, a video of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rapping from the inside of a toilet bowl. Sora's launch -- complete with a TikTok style "for you" page -- was something of an about-face for Altman, who had previously described social media feeds as "an example of misaligned AI," whose algorithms "are incredible at getting you to keep scrolling."

OpenAI's Sora 2 Generates Realistic Videos of People Shoplifting

OpenAI has released a new smartphone app -- currently invite-only -- designed to rival TikTok with an infinite barrage of AI slop. The app accompanies the company's latest text-to-video and audio AI generator, Sora 2, which it claims is "more physically accurate, realistic, and more controllable than prior systems." A two-minute clip celebrating the announcement was met with predominantly negative reactions, with netizens dismissing it as "unsettling" and "soulless." Worse yet, facilitating the AI generation of photorealistic videos could have some concerning implications, especially when it comes to impersonation. Ironically, OpenAI's own Sora developer, Gabriel Petersson, demonstrated how easy it was to generate CCTV footage of anyone -- in this case, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman -- "stealing [graphics cards] at Target." The clip shows Altman getting caught by a nearby security guard after trying to walk out of a store with a GPU box -- a gag meant to poke fun at the company's frantic multibillion-dollar bids to secure AI hardware. Specialized AI hardware has become an extremely hot commodity, with AI chipmaker Nvidia announcing a $100 billion partnership with OpenAI just last week. But the light ribbing of a tech executive aside, the video paints a dystopian picture of a future where anybody could easily be framed for a crime they didn't commit. People were quick to point out that Petersson's gaffe -- which was followed by several other videos of Altman sleeping in an office chair, or making people dance on a train platform -- felt tone-deaf. "OpenAI employees are very excited about how well their new AI tool can create fake videos of people doing crimes and have definitely thought through all the implications of this," Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell posted on Bluesky. "Every defense attorney now has a pre-written motion when it comes to video evidence, I see," another user commented. We've already seen instances of law enforcement using AI-powered facial recognition to identify perpetrators, despite glaring inaccuracies in the tech. As WaPo reported earlier this year, officers in St. Louis used the tech to build a case against an innocent 29-year-old father of four after he was identified by an AI app, despite being warned that it "should not be used as the sole basis for any decision." While the case was eventually dismissed, experts warn that it could set a worrying precedent. The use of AI apps to generate transcripts of body cam videos has also raised concerns that the tech could exacerbate existing problems in law enforcement, including racism and sexism. Now, with the advent of powerful text-to-video AI generators, like Sora 2, it's becoming even easier to place a target at a crime scene they never visited. For its part, OpenAI claims that its new app's "cameo" feature -- which allows you to "drop yourself straight into any Sora scene" -- will protect regular people from having their appearance show up in AI-generated videos. "With cameos, you are in control of your likeness end-to-end with Sora," the company's announcement reads. "Only you decide who can use your cameo, and you can revoke access or remove any video that includes it at any time." "Videos containing cameos of you, including drafts created by other people, are viewable by you at any time," OpenAI promised. The company also said that it's taking "measures to block depictions of public figures" (whether Altman consented to Petersson's videos remains unclear) and that "every video, profile, and comment can be reported for abuse, with clear recourse when policies are violated." It's too early to tell how all of this will play out. But the sheer fact that the company's own employees are already demonstrating how easy it is to generate fake videos of innocent people committing crimes doesn't bode well. OpenAI has already struggled greatly to implement effective guardrails when it comes to its large language models. It remains to be seen whether Sora will be any different in that respect.

OpenAI says it's worried about 'doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and ... sloptimized feeds' as it rolls out Sora social media app | Fortune

If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers. -- -- -- -- AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

OpenAI's latest Sora AI video generator won't create individuals without approval

Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc., during a media tour of the Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. OpenAI is debuting what it bills as its most advanced video generation model yet, alongside a new iOS app designed to bring artificial intelligence-powered video creation to everyday users. The Sora 2.0 model builds on an earlier version released this year as a research preview. OpenAI said the new release represents a major leap in physical realism, audio-video synchronization, and multi-shot storytelling. The new app, which is also called Sora, is invite-only to start with and will let users create, remix, and cameo in AI-generated videos using text or images with built-in controls for safety, likeness, and provenance. The rollout is already raising concerns around intellectual property rules. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that OpenAI is notifying studios and talent agencies that, unless they explicitly opt out, their copyrighted material may be reflected in Sora-generated content.

OpenAI's Answer to TikTok Is Sora 2, a Fever Dream of Deepfakes

When he's not battling bugs and robots in Helldivers 2, Michael is reporting on AI, satellites, cybersecurity, PCs, and tech policy. Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. Imagination engine or a can of worms? OpenAI is taking on TikTok by releasing a rival video-sharing app that focuses entirely on helping people create AI-generated videos. On Tuesday, the company introduced Sora 2, the next-generation version of its text-to-video generator, available first on iOS. The results, which take about two minutes to generate, are impressive, as demonstrated in this clip featuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Research Scientist Gabriel Petersson. The app functions like TikTok, offering users a scrolling feed of short-form videos. However, in addition to text-to-video generation, Sora 2 also supports a feature called Cameo, which allows users to upload their face and voice to the app and create AI-generated videos of themselves. In other words, you can "deepfake" yourself or others into whatever situation you imagine, with permission. Sora 2 can also pair high-quality audio, including dialogue, sound effects, and music, with each clip. Compared with Sora 1, the new version can generate longer videos using multiple shots, too. The result is a Hollywood-esque high-budget video production. In a demo reel, OpenAI showed Altman, along with research scientist Bill Peebles, on the Moon, riding a jetski in the Arctic, and atop a dragon -- all of it entirely AI-generated. "Sora 2 is also state of the art for motion, physics IQ, and body mechanics, marking a giant leap forward in realism," Peebles says in the clip. Altman describes Sora 2 as "the most powerful imagination engine ever built." The goal is for users to create entertaining clips featuring their friends, family, and even pets, which can be shared on the app. But it's also clear that the same technology could be used in malicious ways, such as spreading misinformation (not to mention copyright concerns). In response, OpenAI says it's taking a "conservative" approach with its content moderation and the kind of videos users can create. If you download a video from Sora, OpenAI will also clearly watermark it as AI-generated. Sora 2 can also render audio in different languages. Still, OpenAI warns that the technology can hallucinate and introduce errors into the video, like giving a person the wrong accent. For now, the Sora iOS app is rolling out access via an invite system. An Android app is coming. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI's Sora 2 Unleashed Internet Chaos in 24 Hours -- From Dildo Ads to Furry CEOs - Decrypt

Legal experts warned of deepfake risks and copyright violations as Sora replicated game and anime content. OpenAI's Sora 2 launched Tuesday with audio and social "cameos" -- and within hours, the internet turned it into a meme factory testing the limits of moderation, likeness, and copyright. The new version introduced audio generation and a "cameo" feature, allowing users to insert real people -- celebrities, influencers, or even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman himself -- directly into AI-generated clips. Combined with Sora's existing cinematic quality, the tools instantly collided with questions of consent, identity, and ownership in the age of synthetic media. Legal experts warned the rollout marks a novel and risky shift in intellectual property, with Sora generating recognizable characters, brands, and personalities unless rights holders explicitly opt out -- a reversal of traditional copyright standards. Sora's training data appears to encompass major franchises from Pokémon to Studio Ghibli. "If they get away with this, what is the point of copyright law?" asked Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of Fairly Trained. "It will have been utterly broken by AI lobbying." No one was more instantly memeified than Sam Altman. Within minutes of launch, users flooded X with surreal Sora cameos starring the OpenAI chief: stealing GPUs off Target shelves, attempting to kiss other users, turning into a Yu-Gi-Oh character, and becoming the real-life representation of the Skibidi Toilet meme. Altman, for his part, responded with equanimity: "It is way less strange to watch a feed full of memes of yourself than I thought it would be," he tweeted. Not everyone was amused. "Is this an attempt to subtly normalize deepfakes?"one commenter asked. Others noted that watching AI-generated narratives of yourself could "create unhealthy distance between your sense of self and how you're perceived." The CEO's good humor may not extend to everyday users -- anyone can be remixed, and consent may prove meaningless once a likeness is shared publicly. Beyond personal likenesses, copyright questions flared immediately. Users showed Sora effortlessly reproducing scenes from Cyberpunk 2077, "Rick and Morty," "Naruto," Disney films, and other protected works. When Sora was unveiled yesterday, OpenAI said that the system defaults to inclusion unless creators opt out -- an unusual move that alarmed rights holders. "If copyright flips from opt-in to opt-out, it's no longer copyright -- it's a corporate license grab," wrote AI developer Ruslan Volkov. Some users argued that opting out is practically impossible. "It's impossible to prevent your work from being scrapped unless you never publish digitally,"one wrote. "Pirate libraries prove it -- if you've made something, it's already in the dataset." As legal debates unfolded, users tested the platform's NSFW limits. Within hours, X feeds filled with AI-generated: Commercials for sex toys, complete with glossy cinematography. Trap anime romances exploring queer relationship tropes. Festival scenes like "Sora Bacchanalia," where toga-clad revelers danced around fires and poured wine over feasts, bypassing Sora's anatomical censorship filters -- designed, apparently, to yield "Barbie doll" nudity. The veteran "jailbreaker" Pliny also documented a Sims-like sex scene overlay. Sora 2's audio engine, cameo system, and opt-out IP policy revealed a broader direction for OpenAI: synthetic media as a platform, not a novelty. But the launch's viral aftermath underscores how quickly the technology outpaces both legal frameworks and cultural norms. In 24 hours, Sora turned social media into a mass participatory remix engine -- collapsing the boundaries between parody, identity theft, and fandom. Whether this represents the dawn of a creative renaissance or a copyright free-for-all, one truth is clear: AI video no longer needs reality's permission. Apparently, sitting atop a $500 billion company makes you immune to public clowning. "Not sure what to make of this," Altman conceded after watching the deluge.

How to Limit Who Can Make Deepfakes of You on Sora

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Sora, OpenAI's TikTok for AI slop, is currently the number one free app on the iOS App Store. The app makes it possible for users to generate hyper-realistic short-form videos from simple AI prompts. If you find your TikTok or Instagram feeds to feature a few too many posts made by humans, Sora offers you a feed devoid of any manmade content: Everything you see, from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman roasting a Pikachu on the grill, to speeches from Martin Luther King Jr. about Xbox Game Pass, is entirely fabricated and generated by the Sora video model. As the kids say, we are so cooked. The implications are distressing, terrifying, and, to this tech editor, nauseating. But it's not just the fact that these videos are lifelike that's setting off my anxieties; it's also the app's "cameo" feature, which lets you insert real people into one of these AI concoctions. If you request a video of someone skateboarding across a skyscraper, for example, Sora doesn't have to generate a fake person. Instead, you can ask it to put yourself in the video. If your friends are on the platform, you can instead choose to cast one of them as the skateboarder, too. The same goes for any account that has made their cameo settings public, which is how we got so many unhinged videos of Altman and other OpenAI execs. OpenAI is pitching Cameos as a fun way to communicate and share with friends. I, and others like me, see it as a deepfake machine, with the potential to generate videos of anyone doing just about anything. OpenAI would disagree, of course. The company promises it has "guardrails" in place designed to prevent generations that are harmful or offensive, as well as the misuse of other people's likenesses. In order to set up a cameo, you need to take a video of yourself while speaking, which gives the video model the information needed to plop you into these short clips. Ideally, you are in control of your cameos: If you don't want other people generating videos of you, you can choose to block them from being made. If you don't like a video someone made with your cameo, you can request that OpenAI delete it from Sora -- even if you didn't make the video yourself. Despite OpenAI's assurances, I'm not convinced this won't get ugly fast. Still, it's worth it to go over the settings you can adjust to control how your likeness is used (or not used) on Sora. These settings only apply once you set up your cameo. If you simply use the app to watch videos, there are no settings for you to adjust. However, if you have made a cameo, you can use a few control to limit how it is used. To find your cameo settings, open Sora, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the two-lined menu button in the top right and choose "Cameo rules." Here, you can adjust who can use your cameo from the following options: Note that changing these settings will only apply to videos going forward. If you originally allowed mutuals or all users to use your cameo, but you drop down to people you approve, or even just yourself, all previous videos made with your cameo will remain on the platform. You also have some granular control over how your cameos are used, as Bill Peebles, head of Sora, announced on X. If you head back to your cameo settings, choose "Cameo preferences" then "Restrictions." Here, you should have the option to enter any restriction you want, which will block others from including those restrictions when using your cameo. For example, you could block people from putting you in political videos, or from saying specific words or phrases. If you see a video that someone made using your cameo and you don't want it on the platform anymore, you can ask OpenAI to delete it. To do so, open the video, then choose "Report." Here, you can request a takedown. OpenAI says it will "review and take action" if the video uses your cameo "against your settings or rules." That's a little too vague for my liking, but it's good to know this system is in place if you find yourself in this position. There is a nuclear option as well: delete your Sora account altogether. OpenAI says that any videos that use a cameo attached to a deleted account will also be removed from the platform. They're much more specific with the language here, so I'd imagine this is the best way to guarantee your cameos are not floating around Sora in ways you don't want them to. It's great that OpenAI is giving users controls who can use their likeness in Sora videos, but, in my view, it's just not enough. OpenAI created a tool that lets other users seamlessly place you into AI-generated videos. The risk for misuse is simply too great to think of this product as anything other than a deepfake disaster waiting to happen. OpenAI says you can request to delete any video that uses your cameo, but what if OpenAI doesn't think the video violates your rules or settings? More concerningly, what happens when someone takes that video off Sora and publishes it on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube instead? Is OpenAI going to track down every company that is hosting the video and demand they delete it? Or could your face, your voice, your entire likeness, be plastered across social media, in a video that isn't even real? OpenAI requires you to record yourself before creating a cameo, but what if someone figures out how to use existing videos of you to create an illegitimate cameo without your permission? All the cameo restrictions and settings in the world won't let you control what happens with those videos. And while OpenAI considers their initial approach to Sora generations "conservative," I've seen some wild stuff on this platform already. If you think users won't find ways to trick the AI into generating videos of you that are offensive, disgusting, or otherwise negative, think again. I don't know where we're going from here, but I know one thing: I'll never use the cameo feature on Sora, and I'd encourage you to do the same. If you already have, restrict your settings as much as you're willing to.

Pikachu at war and Mario on the street: OpenAI's Sora 2 thrills and alarms the internet

Sam Altman singing in a toilet. James Bond playing Altman in high-stakes poker. Pikachu storming Normandy's beaches. Mario jumping from his virtual world into real life. Those are just some of the lifelike videos that are rocketing through the internet a day after OpenAI released Sora, an app at the intersection of social media and artificial intelligence-powered media generation. The app surged to be the most popular app in the iOS App Store's Photo and Video category within a day of its release. Powered by OpenAI's upgraded Sora 2 media generation AI model, the app allows users to create high-definition videos from simple text prompts. After it processes one-time video and audio recordings of users' likenesses, Sora allows users to embed lifelike "cameos" of themselves, their friends and others who give their permission. The app is a recipe made for virality. But many of the videos published within the first day of Sora's debut have also raised alarm bells from copyright and deepfake experts. Users have so far reported being able to feature video game characters like Lara Croft or Nintendo heavyweights like Mario, Luigi and even Princess Peach in their AI creations. One user inserted Ronald McDonald into a saucy scene from the romantic reality TV show "Love Island." The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the app would enable users to feature material protected by copyright unless the copyright holders opted out of having their work appear. However, the report said, blanket opt-outs did not appear to be an option, instead requiring copyright holders to submit examples of offending content. Sora 2 builds on OpenAI's original Sora model, which was released to the public in December. Unlike the original Sora, Sora 2 now enables users to create videos with matching dialogue and sound effects. AI models ingest large swaths of information in the "training" process as they learn how to respond to users' queries. That data forms the basis for models' responses to future user requests. For example, Google's Veo 3 video generation model was trained on YouTube videos, much to the dismay of some YouTube creators. OpenAI has not clearly indicated which exact data its models draw from, but the appearance of characters under copyright indicates that it used copyright-protected information to design the Sora 2 system. China's ByteDance and its Seedance video generation model have also attracted recent copyright scrutiny. OpenAI faces legal action over copyright infringement claims, including a high-profile lawsuit featuring authors including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jodi Picoult and newspapers like The New York Times. OpenAI competitor Anthropic recently agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle claims from authors who alleged that Anthropic illegally downloaded and used their books to train its AI models. In an interview, Mark McKenna, a law professor and the faculty director of the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law, and Policy, drew a stark line between using copyrighted data as an input to train models and generating outputs that depict copyright-protected information. "If OpenAI is taking an aggressive approach that says they're going to allow outputs of your copyright-protected material unless you opt out, that strikes me as not likely to work. That's not how copyright law works. You don't have to opt out of somebody else's rules," McKenna said. "The early indications show that training AI models on legitimately acquired copyright material can be considered fair use. There's a very different question about the outputs of these systems," he continued. "Outputting visual material is a harder copyright question than just the training of models." As McKenna sees it, that approach is a calculated risk. "The opt-out is clearly a 'move fast and break things' mindset," he said. "And the aggressive response by some of the studios is 'No, we're not going to go along with that.'" Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony Music Entertainment did not reply to requests for comment. In addition to copyright issues, some observers were unsettled by one of the most popular first-day creations, which depicted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stealing valuable computer components from Target -- illustrating the ease with which Sora 2 can create content depicting real people committing crimes they had not actually committed. Sora 2's high-quality outputs arrive as some have expressed concerns about illicit or harmful creations, from worries about gory scenes and child safety to the model's role in spreading deepfakes. OpenAI includes techniques to indicate Sora 2's creations are AI-generated as concerns grow about the ever-blurrier line between reality and computer-generated content. Sora 2 will include moving watermarks on all videos on the Sora app or downloaded from sora.com, while invisible metadata will indicate Sora-generated videos are created by AI systems. However, the metadata can be easily removed. OpenAI's own documentation says the metadata approach "is not a silver bullet to address issues of provenance. It can easily be removed either accidentally or intentionally," like when users upload images to social media websites. Siwei Lyu, a professor of computer science and the director of the University of Buffalo's Media Forensic Lab and Center for Information Integrity, agreed that multiple layers of authentication were key to prove content's origin from Sora. "OpenAI claimed they have other responsible use measures, such as the inclusion of visible and invisible watermarks, and tracing tools for Sora-made images and audio. These complement the metadata and provide an additional layer of protection," Lyu said. "However, their effectiveness requires additional testing. The invisible watermark and tracing tools can only be tested internally, so it is hard to judge how well they work at this point," he added. OpenAI addressed those limitations in its technical safety report, writing that "we will continue to improve the provenance ecosystem to help bring more transparency to content created from our tools." OpenAI did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Though the Sora app is available for download, access to Sora's services remains invitation-only as OpenAI gradually increases access.

What to know about OpenAI's new AI video app that could rival TikTok

OpenAI announces a new AI video app that lets you drop yourself into the action. OpenAI has announced its next-generation audio and video generator called Sora 2, but it also teased a new social platform that might rival TikTok. Here is everything we know about the latest developments. On Tuesday, the company showed off its video-making tech, which is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Users will be able to make almost any scenario come to life with a simple prompt once they film themselves with audio on the Sora app-effectively, creating their own deepfakes. For example, one demonstration video featured an ice skater gliding across the ice and then performing a triple axel - all while holding a cat on her head. Another showed a realistic-looking man backflipping on a paddleboard, complete with splashes. "Prior video models are overoptimistic -- they will morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt," OpenAI wrote in a blog post. The original Sora tool launched last year, but the latest version is better at generating more complex movements, the company said. The new Sora app aims to serve as a social platform for AI-generated videos. The app will allow users to view and edit AI-generated video clips and feature friends who are also registered on the app. However, OpenAI said there are robust protections and identity safeguard measures in place to prevent someone's identity from being inserted into AI videos without their consent. The app has a similar feeling to TikTok in that it has a vertical video feed with a swipe-to-scroll navigation. However, OpenAI said that the app will prioritise the discovery of videos that may inspire creativity, rather than focusing on maximising time scrolling. "We are giving users the tools and optionality to be in control of what they see on the feed," the company said. "Using OpenAI's existing large language models, we have developed a new class of recommender algorithms that can be instructed through natural language," it added. The company also said that protecting the "wellbeing of teens" is important to the company, so there are default limits on how many generations teens can see per day in their feeds. It also said there are "stricter permissions on cameos for this group" and that OpenAI is adding human moderators "to quickly review cases of bullying if they arise". Sora is, for the moment, invite-only, and will be available first on iOS in the United States and Canada.

OpenAI's new video generation tool Sora 2 is here, but don't worry, Sam Altman says it will avoid the 'degenerate case of AI video generation that ends up with us all being sucked into an RL-optimized slop feed'

I do not need another social app, much less one that revolves around AI-generated video. Sora 2, the latest model of OpenAI's text-to-video tech, has now launched alongside a dedicated app. Besides spitting out all of the soulless, AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style animation one could ever want, Sora 2 can now generate live action clips with both sound and a frankly scary level of visual accuracy. Granted, not all of the clips OpenAI shares in its announcement are flawless, with its AI-generated snippet of a practicing martial artist featuring a warping bo staff and smooshed phalanges. Still, OpenAI is keen to highlight Sora 2's gains in depicting consistent body mechanics that adhere to the rules of the physical world; the twirling body horror of earlier models generated gymnastics clips may be a thing of the past. The company also touts Sora 2's ability to "directly inject elements of the real world" into its AI-generated clips. It elaborates, "For example, by observing a video of one of our teammates, the model can insert them into any Sora-generated environment with an accurate portrayal of appearance and voice. This capability is very general, and works for any human, animal or object." If you're so inclined to descend into the realm of deepfakes, the Sora app, powered by Sora 2, is available on the iOS store now. OpenAI touts the app as not just a video generator but also a social environment. "You can create, remix each other's generations, discover new videos in a customizable Sora feed, and bring yourself or your friends in via cameos," the company writes. "With cameos, you can drop yourself straight into any Sora scene with remarkable fidelity after a short one-time video-and-audio recording in the app to verify your identity and capture your likeness." One can see the whimsical appeal of sharing AI-generated clips of yourself riding ostriches and pulling off extremely dangerous stunts, but I also can't ignore the risk posed by deepfakes. For one thing, US president Donald Trump shared an expletive-laden deepfake video on Truth Social literally the day before Sora 2's launch (via Ars Technica). The sombrero superimposed over representative Hakeem Jeffries is hopefully a telltale sign for most viewers that the remarks senator Chuck Schumer is depicted as saying in this clip (which was not created using Sora 2) are wholly fabricated. However, given that a Microsoft study suggests folks struggle to accurately identify AI-generated still images 62% of the time, it's hard not to be concerned about deepfakes' capacity for disinformation. Videos generated with Sora 2 don't even feature a tiny AI watermark, like those introduced in Gemini's 'Nano Banana' image-editing update. OpenAI say they are 'launching responsibly,' with in-app features designed to "maximize creation, not consumption," and address "concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and RL-sloptimized feeds." But comments made by company CEO Sam Altman on his own blog read contrapuntal even to this stated feed philosophy. "It is easy to imagine the degenerate case of AI video generation that ends up with us all being sucked into an RL-optimized slop feed," Altman first admits. As such, he shares that the app has various "mitigations to prevent someone from misusing someone's likeness in deepfakes, safeguards for disturbing or illegal content, periodic checks on how Sora is impacting users' mood and wellbeing, and more." Altman even goes as far as to say that, if OpenAI cannot sufficiently address aspects of the app that lead to negative social outcomes, then the company would discontinue the service. But Altman also caps off a longer passage regarding how the Sora feed aims to show content that users are interested in by writing, "And if you truly just want to doom scroll and be angry, then ok, we'll help you with that." To me, this reads not only as a shrugging off of responsibility, but also fairly nihilistic; for all OpenAI's talk about the Sora app's safety features, what can be done if its users still choose to gaze into the abyss? I'd be remiss if I didn't also reference the existentialism and labour concerns the launch of the Sora 2 model will no doubt inspire in my freelance creative friends. Altman writes on his blog, "Creativity could be about to go through a Cambrian explosion, and along with it, the quality of art and entertainment can drastically increase." And I would like to suggest that he may be right, just not how he thinks. While Altman wants OpenAI's app to be at the forefront of a tidal wave of creativity, my personal hope is that audiences get sick of realistic, computer generated imagery as a result of Sora 2's proliferation. My blue sky thinking -- however naive it may be -- is the hope that, in response to audiences seeking out visual art that could only ever be made by humans, practical effects and puppets make a comeback in a big way.

OpenAI launches Sora 2 with TikTok-style app

San Francisco (United States) (AFP) - OpenAI on Tuesday released Sora 2, its most advanced video generation model yet, alongside a TikTok-style social app that will let users insert themselves into AI-created scenes through a feature called "cameos." The company behind ChatGPT described the release as a major leap forward in artificial intelligence's ability to create realistic video. The system can now generate synchronized dialogue, sound effects, and physically accurate motion, according to the company. "Sora 2 can do things that are exceptionally difficult -- and in some cases outright impossible -- for earlier video generation models," OpenAI said, pointing to examples like capturing Olympic gymnastics routines or basketball moves. Unlike earlier systems that would "morph objects and deform reality" to fulfill text prompts, Sora 2 better follows real-world physics, the company said. Sora 2 replaces last year's Sora and represents the latest salvo in the AI arms race that began with ChatGPT's launch in 2022. In video generation, OpenAI faces stiff competition from Google, Runway AI, and Midjourney, all of which offer apps that can produce short clips in seconds -- tools that are either celebrated or feared as potential replacements for human-created content. Perhaps more surprising than Sora 2 itself is the standalone social app, Sora. The platform will allow users to appear in AI-generated videos with what OpenAI calls "remarkable fidelity" of both appearance and voice. "We think a social app built around this 'cameos' feature is the best way to experience the magic of Sora 2," the company said. The app is currently available by invitation only in the United States and Canada. The Sora 2 video generator will initially be free with "generous limits," though usage will be constrained by the shortage of computing power needed for video generation. On the app, users can share their creations in a feed similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels. Meta, which owns Instagram, last week added its own AI video feed called "Vibes" to encourage users to experiment with image generation on its Meta AI app. The rapid-fire release of increasingly powerful AI tools comes amid growing concerns about AI-generated content proliferation and the environmental toll of the massive computing power required to create it. OpenAI also acknowledged the ongoing debate about social media's impact on mental health -- including worries about "doomscrolling, addiction, and isolation" -- and said it is implementing safeguards like user wellbeing checks and content controls.

First impressions: Sora 2 is full of deepfakes and SpongeBob

This week, OpenAI finally released Sora 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to its generative AI video model. OpenAI launched Sora 2 in a standalone iOS app (sorry, Android users), which is currently available for free on an invite-only basis. Because we didn't have enough slop machines. I managed to get a Sora 2 invite code, and I've been scrolling through the app and making videos ever since (and getting paid to do it). My first impressions are a bit complicated. The technology is impressive, certainly. And I had some fun scrolling through the app, but just as often, I found content that left me feeling uneasy. Sora 2 is a new video generation model and app from OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. Sora 2 can make videos (with corresponding dialogue and audio) based on natural language prompts. It's the first true rival to Google's Veo 3 AI video maker, which has been in a league of its own since its launch earlier this year. I don't even want to mention Meta's lackluster Llama or Grok Imagine video tools in the same sentence as these apps, though Meta should get a boost now that it's licensing Midjourney technology. Using Veo 3 for the first time was one of those crossing-the-rubicon moments for me. The level of realism was equally impressive and horrifying. Sora 2 feels the same way. Like Veo 3, it's mostly being used to make viral meme content and short-form videos like you'd see on TikTok. Videos of a Golden Retriever being arrested for shoplifting steaks at the grocery store, or an emotional support kangaroo being stopped at the airport, seem cute, not sinister. But Sora 2's potential for harm has a 1:1 relationship with its quality. The better and more realistic the videos are (and some of them are very good, and often realistic), the more I worry about deepfakes and misinformation. When xAI and Elon Musk launched Grok Imagine, a generative AI image and video generator, I was, frankly, horrified by the lack of safeguarding. Musk has pitched xAI and Grok as the politically incorrect alternative to artificial intelligence apps that are, he says, bogged down with liberal bias. Grok also has a much more laissez-faire approach to content moderation and safety, resulting in sexual deepfakes on Grok Imagine. On the other hand, OpenAI has implemented much saner safeguards for Sora 2. If you upload an image to serve as the inspiration for a video, the app will reject your image if it detects a face -- any face. If you want to create a video featuring a real person, you have to use the Cameos feature. This feature lets you create videos with the likeness of specific people -- as long as they've agreed to participate in the feature. When I tried to create videos of public figures like, say, Taylor Swift, using common jailbreaking techniques, the app refused to make the video. Needless to say, this is not the blonde showgirl I had in mind. Cameos are the most famous feature of the new Sora app so far. When you get access to the app, the first thing you have to do is opt in or out of the Cameos tool, which allows your likeness to be used in videos on the app. You can give yourself the ability to make videos of yourself, but also grant access to contacts, specific users, or the public. Cameos has resulted in a flood of videos featuring the likeness of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Cameos is a clever way to circumvent the deepfake problem by letting users essentially opt in to deepfakes. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. I created a video of myself, and it was weird. Sora didn't get my voice right, but my face, body, hair, and general likeness were spot on. Seeing yourself say and do things you've never said or done is a very strange feeling. Unfortunately, you may need to get used to that feeling -- as AI enthusiasts are fond of saying, it's a new era. A lot of generative AI tools can animate photographs, but few can make realistic videos with corresponding dialogue and sound effects. Sora 2 does this easily, like Veo 3 before it. We'll have a more in-depth comparison of Sora 2 and Veo 3 coming soon. In the meantime, I'll just say Sora 2 lives up to the hype in ways that GPT-5 did not. The Sora app can make videos in a variety of styles -- fake police body-cam videos, '90s TV commercials, music videos, sports broadcasts -- that don't immediately look like AI videos at all. Mashable has written extensively about the fight between artists and IP holders and the AI industry. AI companies like Meta have won some early victories in these fights, and President Donald Trump's executive orders and comments on the topic have favored the AI industry. "You can't be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book, or anything else that you've read or studied, you're supposed to pay for," Trump said when announcing The White House's AI Action Plan this summer, per Politico. "We appreciate that, but just can't do it -- because it's not doable." Obviously, many artists and rights holders strongly disagree. Disney lawyers famously called Midjourney a "bottomless pit of plagiarism" in its lawsuit against the AI company. But, for now, the federal government seems to be clearing the way for companies like OpenAI to use IP with impunity, lest China gain the edge in the AI arms race. So, unless Disney or Warner Bros. suddenly scores a surprise legal victory, I'd expect the SpongeBob Squarepants, Star Wars, and Rick & Morty AI videos to keep spreading like meme-fueled wildfire. Mashable asked OpenAI if the company had a licensing agreement with Warner Bros., which owns the rights to Rick & Morty, but the company declined to answer. There are some recurring themes in the Sora app. Users seem to be turning Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" and JFK's "Ask not what your country" speeches into video memes. A representative example: "I have a dream that Xbox Game Pass will not raise prices." Did I laugh the first time I heard Martin Luther King Jr. say, "I have a dream that I'm never going to give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you"? I may have chuckled. But I wish I hadn't. I also saw a lot of SpongeBob memes in particular, and to a lesser extent, various riffs on Rick & Morty and Pokémon. That could be because a lot of millennials are using Sora, and millennials hold SpongeBob Squarepants and Pokémon in a special place in their hearts. Public figures and beloved TV characters have always been fodder for memes. What's novel here is the ability to easily create videos featuring these figures saying whatever you want. In my experience, Google Veo 3 is more sensitive to prompts involving IP. How could this be problematic? With Elon Musk currently leading a Netflix boycott over transgender characters in children's TV shows, now anyone can make a realistic video featuring characters saying whatever they want. It could be a powerful tool for outrage farmers. So, it's once again time to practice media literacy and hone your ability to identify viral AI videos. I reached out to OpenAI for comment, and a company representative said that Sora was built to provide users with as much creative freedom as it could. The rep also said that IP holders can submit takedown requests through the company's Copyright Disputes form; however, there is not a blanket opt out for IP holders. For early users, expect to see this message a lot. As when OpenAI first integrated image generation into ChatGPT, the company is facing extremely high demand for Sora. I don't expect that to change any time soon. I repeatedly received this error message while testing the app. In fact, it was hard to use up all my credits due to this frequent error. In the Sora feed, you can scroll up or down to find new videos, which is typical. However, on some videos, you can also scroll sideways to see alternative versions of the users' posts. This video album feature lets you see how the video turned out with slight tweaks to the prompt, which is pretty darn cool. Finally, I have to admit that Sora 2 is a little addicting, but only in the same way that all short-form video apps are addicting. Just like it's easy to fall into a TikTok hole, it's easy to fall into a Sora hole, and I suspect many early adopters are wasting a lot of time on the app. As I said, the tech is certainly impressive. But, better slop is still slop, no matter how many likes it gets.

OpenAI's Sora: Fast track to a vacuous AI-video future

Why it matters: Feeds, memes and slop are the building blocks of a new media world where verification vanishes, unreality dominates, everything blurs into everything else and nothing carries any informational or emotional weight. Driving the news: OpenAI's Sora 2 AI video maker and Sora app let users make and share AI-based short videos starring themselves, their friends and anyone else who gives them permission to be included. * The new Sora comes on the heels of the launch of Meta's Vibes, a TikTok knockoff that's composed entirely of AI-made videos. Both companies are betting that the public's interest in AI video is not just a brief infatuation with a technical novelty but the start of a foundational shift in media consumption. * AI video is much cheaper to make than professionally produced material. And AI-made videos can be personalized and targeted in ways traditional video could never match. Yes, but: Much of the appeal of online video platforms lies in personal connection between creators and their followers, and how that translates into the world of AI-generated clips is unclear. * Sora's "cameo" feature, which lets users share (and control) the use of their own images in Sora videos, could be an answer -- but it's also a Pandora's box of potential problems. Here are five friction points the new AI video apps will face. 1. Truth erosion. * The more AI-made video there is online, the less anyone can and should trust that any particular video is real. * Videos made with Sora are watermarked for now, and both Sora and Vibes are explicitly all-AI feeds. But if these apps become popular their hit clips will spill over onto TikTok, Reels, YouTube and other platforms, where they will mix with real footage. * At this point, it's prudent to start from the assumption that every online video, no matter how real-looking, is fictional until proven otherwise. 2. Copyright violation. * When you open Sora's feed, you enter a world packed with images from popular animated series and video games. * OpenAI says that intellectual property holders can opt out of having their images and styles duplicated. * Studio Ghibli never sued the company for the viral wave of Miyazaki-style clips users made with OpenAI tools earlier this year -- but sooner or later, someone will take OpenAI to court. 3. Meme-ification. * My Sora feed right now is full of Jesuses, Spongebobs, dogs driving cars, and endless jokes featuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (who has allowed anyone to make use of his cameo). * AI-only content pushes the medium even further into vacuous unreality than TikTok or Reels, to the point that it feels entirely untethered from the real world. * The self-referential surrealism of meme universes like Skibidi Toilet and Italian Brainrot hold a deep attraction for plenty of sixth graders -- but may not be able to sustain broader appeal. 4. Personalization. * The more we use AI to make videos and the more AI videos we consume, the more information we're handing the AI-makers. * OpenAI says it wants to avoid the engagement-maximizing sins of old-school social media. But it's also collecting more and more data from users. * Combining what a TikTok-style algorithm knows about your likes and dislikes with everything else about yourself that you're already telling ChatGPT will give OpenAI some powerful levers to shape your behavior. 5. Intimidation and humiliation. * Sora's cameos feature has some smartly thought-out safeguards that should limit wholesale abuse. * But a social-video playground full of real people's faces is bound to produce horrific cases of bullying, slander and other kinds of harm. * The internet public's ability to find and exploit nasty and hurtful uses of a novel social networking tool will always outpace the efforts of a platform to limit such uses. What they're saying: Altman wrote in a blog post that OpenAI feels "trepidation" because of social media apps' history of becoming addictive and used for bullying. * "The team has put great care and thought into trying to figure out how to make a delightful product that doesn't fall into that trap, and has come up with a number of promising ideas" it will experiment with, he wrote. * He said OpenAI aims to "optimize for long-term user satisfaction," "encourage users to control their feed," "prioritize creation" and "help users achieve their long-term goals." The bottom line: Right now, the government is reluctant to regulate new tech, companies have effectively unlimited budgets and the public is bitterly divided over political and social issues.

OpenAI's Sora could save social networking -- as long as it doesn't ruin it

Hello there, and welcome once again to Fast Company's Plugged In. For something that continues to suck up so much of the world's attention, social networking has not exactly been a font of wild innovation in recent years. Its big names are all up there in years and showing their age: Facebook is 21, Twitter is 19. Instagram is 15, Snapchat is 14. Newer entrants, such as BeReal, rarely live up to their early great expectations. Even Bluesky, where many of us have found a home after fleeing the Elon Muskified version of Twitter, isn't growing at its old clip. So I was intrigued when two new social networking experiences debuted in rapid succession in late September: Meta's Vibes and OpenAI's Sora. Thanks to the fact that both focus on letting people share AI-generated imagery, they compete directly with each other. But their all-AI format also sets them apart from existing social networks, where generative AI is most often a distraction from human contact, not the main attraction. Personally, I like the idea of AI being cordoned off into its own social app. Most examples of the technology showing up in other social feeds have a dystopian tinge, from Twitter's Grok bot going full Hitler to the maudlin deepfakes that have recently become an unwelcome element of my Facebook time. (For some reason, Paul McCartney stars in many of the newest ones -- in one instance shown dolefully strumming a guitar at Charlie Kirk's funeral.) Plenty of my friends get downright surly when they encounter AI on their feeds; to avoid making them unhappy, I have gone cold turkey on sharing it.

OpenAI's TikTok-like social app makes its 'cameo' appearance

Sam Altman. Still from yesterday's Livestream. Image: OpenAI/YouTube OpenAI yesterday officially launched its new TikTok-type AI video app and opened invite-only access in the US. Disney is reported to have denied use of its content. On a livestream yesterday evening, OpenAI officially launched its much anticipated video-generation model, Sora 2 and the accompanying AI social app that is pegged to rival the likes of TikTok, which will be simply called Sora. We had reported yesterday morning that new app was being prepared for release. While the new Sora app, powered by Sora 2 is available for download on iOS, for now access is invite-only and users can request access via the app. The enormous compute power needed for such a video-generating model means OpenAI says it will roll out access "slowly" across the US and Canada, and user access will have to be limited. "Transparently, our only current plan is to eventually give users the option to pay some amount to generate an extra video if there's too much demand relative to available compute," OpenAI said in its official launch announcement. Probably the biggest criticism of most AI video-generators is the frankly bizarre outcomes at times, with inhuman movements and disappearing objects. OpenAI claimed at the launch that Sora 2 goes a long way toward fixing this: "Though still imperfect, it is better about obeying the laws of physics compared to prior systems." Talent agents and studios had been receiving notifications from OpenAI over the past week warning them that copyrighted materials will be used unless the creators or owners actively opt out. According to Reuters, Disney has become the first to take up the 'opt-out' option, barring the platform from using its considerable bank of copyrighted material on the app. It remains to be seen if other Hollywood studios will follow suit, as the use of copyrighted materials for AI has been an extremely contentious issue. Cameo appearance As predicted, the App appears to have all the features of a social media app like vertical video feed, a 'For You' style page powered by a recommendation algorithm and a menu bar where users can like, comment or remix a video. Users will be able to create videoclips up to 10 seconds long, utilising OpenAI's new Sora 2 video-generation model. According to Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, every video now comes with sound, an improvement from the original Sora video-generator launched in 2024. The use of a user's own likeness is one that OpenAI has clearly given much time to, and open AI says it is the feature that tackles this that is the most "unique" element of the new App. A feature it calls Cameo will allow you to upload a short video of yourself so that your likeness can then be inserted into photo-realistic short clips - but use by someone else will be strictly permissions-based. "You can set who can use this cameo," said Sora's product lead, Rohan Sahani, on the livestream. "You can decide only I can use my cameo, mutuals I approve, everyone. You are in full control of your likeness on this network. There is no way for someone to generate you without you having given explicit permission. This is a very important principle for us." "Ownership of your own identity is a priority and any video that is created with your cameo you have rights over, Thomas Dimson, engineering lead at Sora, told the livestream. "Anything created with your permission, you can delete it. You are treated like an owner of that video." If the guardrails are as strong as described by OpenAI, this should go a long way to avoiding the dangers of so-called deepfakes, and indeed OpenAI published a separate blog detailing all the ways it will ensure user safety and protection of underage users, and announcing that "human review" would complement the user protections. The AI-generated Sora 2 videos shown on the livestream certainly look extremely impressive, but it now remains to sit back and wait for the first reviews from early users who get the invite. Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

OpenAI to Challenge TikTok and Instagram With Sora 2 | AIM

The Sora iOS app is available in the US and Canada through an invite-based rollout, with plans to expand to other countries. OpenAI released Sora 2 on September 30, its latest video and audio generation model, along with a social iOS app called Sora, which allows users to create, remix, and insert themselves into generated videos. "This is a combination of a new model called Sora 2, and a new product that makes it easy to create, share, and view videos," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a post on X. "This feels like the 'ChatGPT for creativity' moment for many of us," Altman added. The Sora iOS app is available in the US and Canada through an invite-based rollout, with plans to expand to other countries. The app is free to start, with ChatGPT Pro users gaining access to a higher-quality experimental Sora 2 Pro model. OpenAI also plans to release Sora 2 in its API, while Sora 1 Turbo remains available. The launch of the Sora app is likely to put OpenAI in direct competition with major consumer platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where short-form video dominates. The move comes days after Meta launched Vibes, a new AI-generated video feed inside its Meta AI app. Altman acknowledged both the benefits and risks of social media, noting concerns around addiction and bullying. He said it was "easy to imagine the degenerate case of AI video generation that ends up with us all being sucked into an RL-optimised slop feed," but emphasised that the Sora team had put great care and thought into designing a product to avoid that outcome. Sora 2 follows its predecessor Sora, launched in February 2024, which OpenAI described as a "GPT‑1 moment for video." According to the company, Sora 2 represents what it considers a "GPT‑3.5 moment for video," capable of simulating complex physical actions such as backflips, Olympic gymnastics, and triple axels, while modelling real-world physics more accurately than prior systems. "Prior video models are overoptimistic -- they will morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt," OpenAI said in its blog post. "In Sora 2, if a basketball player misses a shot, it will rebound off the backboard." The model also allows detailed control over video output, including multi-shot sequences, realistic cinematic and anime styles, and soundscapes with speech and effects. Users can insert real-world elements, such as themselves, other people, animals, or objects, into generated videos by recording a brief verification. "We first started playing with this 'upload yourself' feature several months ago on the Sora team, and we all had a blast with it," OpenAI said. "It kind of felt like a natural evolution of communication -- from text messages to emojis to voice notes to this." The Sora app is designed to prioritise creation over consumption. OpenAI said its recommender algorithms are instructed via natural language, and users can adjust their feeds. The app includes parental controls, daily limits for teens, and human moderation to prevent bullying. Users control who can use their likeness, and videos containing their cameo can be revoked at any time. "Video models are getting very good, very quickly," OpenAI said. "General-purpose world simulators and robotic agents will fundamentally reshape society and accelerate the arc of human progress. Sora 2 represents significant progress towards that goal."

OpenAI introduces new Sora 2 video generator and Sora social app - SiliconANGLE

OpenAI introduces new Sora 2 video generator and Sora social app OpenAI today debuted a new video generation model that it says can render clips too complicated for earlier algorithms. The model, Sora 2, will be available in ChatGPT and via an application programming interface. It also powers a new consumer-powered social app called Sora. Sora 2 is the successor to an eponymous video generator that OpenAI launched last year. According to the artificial intelligence provider, its new algorithm is significantly better at modelling physical phenomena such as buoyancy. As a result, it can generate complex clips such as videos that depict Olympic gymnastics routines and objects floating on water. Earlier models struggle at such tasks. According to OpenAI, Sora 2's higher output quality partly stems from the way it manages the errors that sometimes emerge during the video generation process. In many cases, the model can mitigate those errors without substantially decreasing video quality. "Prior video models are overoptimistic -- they will morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt," members of the Sora development team wrote in a blog post today. "For example, if a basketball player misses a shot, the ball may spontaneously teleport to the hoop. In Sora 2, if a basketball player misses a shot, it will rebound off the backboard." Sora 2 improves upon its predecessor in other ways as well. Notably, it can generate not only video but also audio. The model is capable of generating speech in multiple languages and sound effects for the clips it creates. According to OpenAI, Sora 2 supports more detailed prompts than its predecessor. Users can enter multi-sentence descriptions of the clips they wish to generate. It's possible to customize details such as the camera equipment that Sora 2 should simulate, the texture of the objects depicted in a clip and the way light is reflected off those objects. Prompts can include not only text but also a brief video. Sora 2 is capable of inserting the likeness of the person or object the uploaded video depicts into the clips it generates. The model's ability to take video as input is the basis of a new social app that OpenAI debuted today. The app, which is available for iOS on launch, allows users to generate clips, insert their likeness into those clips and remix content created by other users. Videos generated with Sora 2 are displayed in a centralized feed. "We are giving users the tools and optionality to be in control of what they see on the feed," the Sora developers detailed. "Using OpenAI's existing large language models, we have developed a new class of recommender algorithms that can be instructed through natural language."

Watch these astonishingly realistic clips from OpenAI's new AI video generator

In a major update, the latest version of Sora now adds audio, too. OpenAI has announced the latest version of its AI-powered text-to-video generator and the results are seriously impressive. Announced on Tuesday, Sora 2 arrives alongside the all-new Sora social app that lets you "turn your ideas into videos and drop yourself into the action" -- but more on that in a moment. Recommended Videos First, Sora 2. OpenAI's first major update to its AI video generator since the original version's release in February 2024 now offers audio -- a huge improvement that puts it on equal footing with Google's Veo 3 video generator. OpenAI shared a selection of clips (below) created entirely by Sora 2. "Everything you are about to see and hear was generated by Sora 2," the company said in a note accompanying the video. The segments include everything from an ice skater with a cat on her head to a guy trying to do a backflip on a paddleboard. There's also a dog astronaut, something strongly resembling Japanese anime, and a guy trying to ride two horses at once before it all goes horribly wrong. Check out this stunning example, too: The quality of the imagery is pretty amazing, with Sora 2's AI able to render challenging content like water splashes with astonishing realism. "Sora 2 can do things that are exceptionally difficult for prior video generation models," OpenAI said. "It's more physically accurate and realistic than prior systems and a big leap forward in controllability." OpenAI pointed out how its earlier video models can be what it described as "overoptimistic," explaining that they would "morph objects and deform reality to successfully execute upon a text prompt. For example, if a basketball player misses a shot, the ball may spontaneously teleport to the hoop. In Sora 2, if a basketball player misses a shot, it will rebound off the backboard." But not anymore. It added that Sora 2, which for now is invite-only, is "far from perfect and makes plenty of mistakes," though it's continuing to work to make the videos even more real. You can also do some really wacky stuff by directly injecting elements of the real world into Sora 2. For example, the AI observed a video of an OpenAI employee before Sora 2 gave him a trumpet and surrounded him with galloping zebras. Indeed, it's this "upload yourself" capability that inspired OpenAI to create the Sora social app for iOS. Powered by Sora 2, the app lets you "create, remix each other's generations, discover new videos in a customizable Sora feed, and bring yourself or your friends in via cameos" that let you drop yourself into any Sora scene. The Sora iOS app⁠ is available to download now in the U.S. and Canada, with other countries coming soon. However, for now, you'll need an invite to activate the app. The new and improved Sora will no doubt send another shockwave through the creative industries as artists try to get their head around the full impact of the technology on their work. Digital Trends recently tested three AI video generators with the same prompt to see which gave the best result. Find out which came out on top.

OpenAI Releases Ghoulish AI Video of Sam Altman

OpenAI has officially unveiled its latest text-to-video and audio AI generator, Sora 2. So far, we're not quite convinced by the company's marketing efforts. In an unsettling promotional clip, an algorithmically synthesized version of OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, announces the company's answer to Meta's Vibes app -- a TikTok-like experience designed to expose users to an endless deluge of AI slop. The issue? The AI-generated Altman suffers from chronic issues plaguing AI-generated footage: it looks unconvincing and unreal. "One year, we redefined what is possible with moving images," the fake Altman says in a clearly robotic and AI-generated voice, referring to the company's preceding Sora video generator, which was released in December 2024. "Today, we're announcing the Sora app," he added, while a pair of piercing blue eyes stared unblinkingly into the camera. It's a disconcerting appearance, falling just short of clearing the uncanny valley. The rest of the promotional video is a mind-numbing parade of AI-generated clips, from jockeys riding unicorns to a stadium-lit Altman attending what appears to be a sporting event involving humans riding oversized ducks. Users on social media were taken aback by the slop fest -- and didn't hold back in their feedback. "This feels uncomfortably soulless to watch," one X-formerly-Twitter user chimed in. "It's somehow like watching a dead person dance, very unsettling. Like the beginning of a nightmare, where you haven't seen the monster yet, but you already know something is very wrong." OpenAI is betting huge on its video generator, claiming that Sora 2's "advanced world simulation capabilities" will be "critical for training AI models that deeply understand the physical world." In one demonstration, the company showed that Sora 2 effortlessly rendered a video of a gymnast flipping on a balance beam -- a subject that led its preceding model to hilariously fail the "Turing test for AI video" by turning the athlete into a grotesque, flailing ball of far too many limbs. While it's certainly an improvement over last year's AI video generator, countless users are already balking at OpenAI's efforts to force-feed even more AI-generated slop to the masses by packaging it into a smartphone app. "We will produce levels of slop one could only imagine before," one X user joked. OpenAI's originality also leaves something to be desired. The news comes roughly a week after Meta unveiled Vibes, an extremely similar TikTok-like video feed of AI slop. Netizens weren't impressed with that effort either, calling it "hot garbage" and an "infinite slop machine," while questioning who could possibly want to swipe through fake videos of snowboarders jumping over rubber ducks or a cat-headed news anchor. "Good news y'all, Mark Zuckerberg's new idea that we're forcing on everybody is finally here," The Daily Show's Michael Kosta said in a scathing satire of Vibes. "Our AI video tools are set to completely revolutionize how dumb f**king losers create sh**ty little videos," Kosta added. "And we're so stoked about it." In short, both OpenAI and Meta will certainly have their work cut out to convince users that an app entirely dedicated to AI slop will meaningfully justify the tens of billions of dollars they're pouring into the tech. "Eat your slop, piggies," Kosta said mockingly. "Eat it from the palm of our hands."

OpenAI's Sora app floods feeds with AI Sam Altman deepfakes

OpenAI launches invite-only app Sora, but within hours it's overtaken by deepfake videos of CEO Sam Altman -- serving McDonald's, stealing NVIDIA GPUs, and bantering with Pokémon. OpenAI has launched its new TikTok-like social media app, Sora, in an invite-only early access period. Within 24 hours of its release, users have populated the platform with numerous deepfake videos, many prominently featuring a hyper-realistic, AI-generated version of CEO Sam Altman. The experience on the Sora app is immediately defined by its content. One of the first videos presented to users depicts a seemingly unending factory farm filled with pink pigs grunting in their pens. Each animal is equipped with a smartphone screen playing a feed of vertical videos. A digital likeness of Altman stares directly at the camera and asks, "Are my piggies enjoying their slop?" The scene is presented as a continuous and expansive view of the farm environment. On the app's "For You" feed, the AI-generated Altman appears in numerous other scenarios. In one video, he is shown standing in a field with Pokémon, including Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and a creature described as a "half-baked Growlithe." The Altman character looks at the viewer and says, "I hope Nintendo doesn't sue us." Further user-generated clips show him serving drinks to Pikachu and the character Eric Cartman inside a Starbucks, screaming at a customer from behind a McDonald's counter, and stealing NVIDIA GPUs from a Target. The latter video concludes with him being apprehended by police and pleading for them not to confiscate the hardware. The creation of these videos is linked to users taking advantage of the app's reported content policy. Sora will allegedly require copyright holders to actively opt out of their content's use, a reversal of the typical model where creators must provide explicit consent. The legality of this approach is noted as debatable. The application displays guardrail warnings for certain prompts, such as, "This content may violate our guardrails concerning third-party likeness." In one clip, the AI Altman persona recites this warning verbatim before breaking into hysterical laughter. Sora's feed also contains other user-generated videos that combine various intellectual properties, including depictions of Pikachu doing ASMR, the character Naruto ordering Krabby Patties, and Mario smoking weed. The technology powering the application, referred to as Sora 2, is noted as being particularly impressive. This capability is contrasted with Meta's parallel attempt to create an AI-powered, TikTok-style social feed, an effort for which the source material indicates there is low public interest.

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers. -- -- -- -- AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, aiming to capture the audience of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers. -- -- -- -- AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

OpenAI Just Made an App for Sharing Hyper-Realistic AI Slop

In my view, the risks for disinformation far outweigh any benefits offered here. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Last year, I wrote that we should all be scared of Sora, OpenAI's AI video generator. Sora's initial rollout promised hyper-realistic videos that, while exciting to some, terrified me. While AI fans see a future of AI-generated movies and shows, I see a future where no one can tell what's real or fake. To me, the only destination for this technology is mass disinformation. In the year and a half since, these AI-generated videos haven't only become more realistic; they've also become more accessible, as companies like Google make their tools readily available to anyone willing to pay. That's the situation we find ourselves in with OpenAI's latest announcements: Sora 2, a new AI model for generating video with audio, as well as a new Sora app for creating and sharing your AI-generated products. OpenAI is marketing Sora 2 as a massive upgrade over Sora -- comparing the two to GPT-3.5 and GPT-1, respectively. The company says the new model can generate complex videos that earlier models could not. That includes, specifically, an Olympic gymnastic routine; a man performing a backflip on a paddleboard that "accurately" models water physics; as well as a skater performing a triple axel with a cat on their shoulder. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. One common flaw with AI video models is their lack of understanding of real-world physics. The visual might look realistic, but elements may morph together randomly, while others may disappear and reappear without rhyme or reason. OpenAI says Sora 2 doesn't make these mistakes as often. A basketball that misses the hoop won't magically reappear there; it will, instead, bounce off the backboard as you'd expect it to. The company warns the model is still imperfect, but is improved. Building on this, the model is better at continuity across different shots: Taking OpenAI at their word, your videos should maintain consistency between takes, and you should be able to dictate different types of styles, including "realistic," "cinematic," and "anime." Perhaps the biggest leap with Sora 2 is the ability to add real world elements into the model, a feature OpenAI calls "Cameo." You can put real people into the Sora 2 model, and ask the AI to generate them into any video you want. OpenAI shows a number of examples of their staff adding themselves to various videos, and while the quality is inconsistent, it's a gargantuan leap from the days of JibJab. Like Google's Veo 3 model, Sora 2 can generate video with realistic audio. The announcement video shows this off: An elephant roars; a skater swooshes on the ice; water splashes on the ground. But, more impressively (and concerningly), people speak. An AI-generated Sam Altman explains the new model and app in this video, and while it's rather obvious to those of us in the know that this is AI, I can imagine many people would have no idea this isn't the real Altman in the clip. OpenAI says the Sora app came about as a "natural evolution of communication." The company sees this as a way for people to create and remix other users' AI generations, especially with the ability to upload your own face and likeness to the model. At the moment, the app is invite-only, though you can download it for free from the App Store today. You can get a sense for the experience, however, from both the demo video OpenAI dropped on Tuesday, as well as posts from the people who already have access. This first example OpenAI demos is of a dual Cameo of OpenAI research scientist Bill Peebles and Sam Altman. The video contains an establishing shot of the two men having a conversation, which cuts to a close up of Peebles speaking rapidly about the app's revenue, then to a close up of Altman taking in the rant, before closing on the original establishing shot. On the surface, it's the type of video you might expect to scroll past on a TikTok or Reels binge -- but this video is entirely AI-generated. The OpenAI staff show off a series of other pre-generated examples, including a Cameo that turns into a cartoon, another that switches the effect to anime, and another that generates a "news" report of one of the staff member's addiction to ketchup. (That last one is quite gross, I might add.) They also demonstrate remixing videos you find in the feed, as you're able to prompt Sora to adjust the video however you want. One video shows Peebles in an "ad" for a Sora 2 cologne, but others have remixed it to be of toothpaste instead, or entirely in Korean. These videos are quite realistic: In one, you think you're simply watching a clip of a tennis match, but it turns out to be a Cameo with OpenAI's Rohan Sahai. After "Sahai" wins the match, the video cuts to his "interview," in which he thanks the haters. Others are more obviously AI -- though, again, not enough so that most people scrolling by may notice. Cameos sound like a privacy and security nightmare, though OpenAI has some protections in place. You can't simply use anyone's face for any videos, and you're only able to upload your own face to the platform. Setting up the Cameo feature on the app is straightforward, if not extremely off-putting. The app will scan your face, sort of like setting up Face ID on an iPhone, and will then send the data to OpenAI's "systems," for "tons of validation" to block impersonators, or users who might want to create Cameos of you without your consent. Once approved, you choose who can create Cameos of yourself, including all users, friends, users you specifically approve, or just you. As for videos themselves, the Sora app applies a visible watermark to any clip exported out of the app. If you've seen any of these videos on the internet already, you'll notice a small "Sora" stamp on each, similar to the watermark you see on TikTok clips exported to other platforms. There are also reasoning models under the hood to block users from generating "harmful" content, especially with respect to Cameos. If you're a teen using the Sora app, you won't be able to scroll forever. After scrolling for a while, there will be a cooldown period to keep you from spending hours scrolling through these AI videos. While adult accounts won't have this restriction, the app will "nudge" you to take a break. With all due respect to OpenAI and its safety team, this app sounds like it's going to be a disaster, for so many reasons. For one, OpenAI has made it as easy to generate hyper-realistic short-form videos as it is to ask Siri about the weather. I appreciate that these videos all come with watermarks, but it won't take much skill to edit those out -- at least in a way that most people won't notice. As soon as this is widely available, all of our social media feeds will be plagued with this content. And, seeing as much of it comes with video and audio that are quite realistic, a lot of people are going to be fooled by a lot of content. It's bad enough when that involves silly videos, like bunnies jumping on a trampoline. But what happens when it's "politicians" saying something egregious, or a "celebrity" stealing something from a store? One viral Sora video shows Sam Altman trying to run off with a GPU at Target, before being stopped by a security guard. How many more Sora videos will show Sam Altman, and anyone else who approves of their Cameos being remixed, committing crimes, or simply doing something embarrassing? Those with enough power or fame may be able to debunk the videos, but by then, it'll be too late: Most people who saw it will take it as fact. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. To that point, it's great that there are security measures in place to stop people from remixing other users' Cameos without permission, but the risk here for abuse is supreme: What happens if someone figures out how to "scan" someone's face from a video, or crack the settings that block others from using their original face scan? If they can bypass OpenAI's security measures, they can then remix that person's face into any video approved by the platform. At that point, the cat's out of the bag. Look, I'm chronically online. I'm not going to pretend like I don't enjoy a good AI-generated meme when it comes across my feed. But I'm not about to spend my free time scrolling through nothing but AI-generated brain rot. I'm sure people will find creative ways to make funny videos using Sora, or have a good time making Cameos with their friends, but that's the point: Beyond the sheer novelty of the tech, there's nothing good to come from this.

OpenAI announces Sora 2, an AI video and audio app that allows for user 'cameos'

A still from a Sora 2 video depicting an AI version of Sam Altman.Sora 2 / OpenAI OpenAI announced a new video and audio generation app in a livestream on Tuesday afternoon. The app, called Sora 2, features photorealistic video creation capabilities and is being billed as a social app for friends to share, remix, and discover AI-generated videos. Sora 2 represents the latest in a wave of multimedia generative AI tools, allowing users to create increasingly realistic images, video and audio. Unlike other generative-AI or social-media apps, Sora 2 allows users to create AI-generated "cameos," or guest appearances, of themselves and their friends in videos. To create these lifelike cameos, this feature requires users to make a one-time video and audio recording of themselves and verify their identity. Like other social media apps including TikTok, Sora 2 will feature a 'feed,' or string of videos tailored to users' interests. Using a recommendation algorithm, Sora 2 will prioritize videos related to users' interests, people the user interacts with, or topics the algorithm predicts will then inspire users to create their own videos. Sora 2 builds on the original Sora model released in February 2024. Whereas the original Sora sometimes struggled to represent realistic motion, like a basketball bouncing off of a backboard, OpenAI said Tuesday that Sora 2 "is better about obeying the laws of physics." The app is available for download now on iOS systems, but access to the service remains invite-only. Users can request access through the app. OpenAI signalled that they may roll out access slowly across the US and Canada, initially giving users "generous limits" on video creation. AI systems like Sora 2 require intense computing power, so companies often have to place limits on user access to ensure the service remains accessible for others. "Transparently, our only current plan is to eventually give users the option to pay some amount to generate an extra video if there's too much demand relative to available compute," OpenAI said in its launch announcement, referring to finite computing power. OpenAI also acknowledged concerns about potential downsides from the app, releasing a Sora 2 Safety document in tandem with the larger announcement. Recognizing potential risks of isolation, addiction, and the proliferation of poor-quality AI content, OpenAI said: "we've made sure safety is built in from the very start." To guard against potential risks, OpenAI said they were boosting teams of human moderators to review content for bullying, OpenAI framed Sora 2 as an important step towards more powerful AI systems. In the release statement, OpenAI said: "On the road to general-purpose simulation and AI systems that can function in the physical world, we think people can have a lot of fun with the models we're building along the way." "Video models are getting very good, very quickly. General-purpose world simulators and robotic agents will fundamentally reshape society and accelerate the arc of human progress," OpenAI said.

Sora 2 app: 7 AI weird videos people have already made

AI giant OpenAI debuted Sora 2 this week, its "flagship video and audio generation model." Sora 2 is OpenAI's answer to Google Veo 3, which is widely considered the most advanced generative AI video model to date. With the launch of Sora 2 has come lots of strange videos, which you can see for yourself in the new Sora app. There's one reason, in particular, that the videos are getting weird. That would be the "Cameo" feature, which allows you to insert yourself or friends into AI-generated videos. For just one moment, let's forget all the ways this could be used for ill-conceived or nefarious purposed -- OK, phew, that is a lot to forget -- it's also just tremendously weird to insert a real person into uncanny valley, AI-generated situations. But people are certainly doing it. Here's a viral video of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rapping from a toilet, referencing skibidi toilet, because sure. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Naturally somebody responded with the poster of that post...also in a toilet. And they said creativity was dead and AI is eroding our ability to think. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Or here's AI Bob Ross painting a gorilla fighting 100 men (get it, like the meme). This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Or there's this AI video of Altman stealing GPUs purportedly generated by an OpenAI employee. Again...no way this could be sued for nefarious purposes, right? This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Or here's Altman awkwardly dancing. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. And here's a video playing on the fact that people are eating up AI slop. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Or a video of a guy sloppily eating via AI. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. So, as you might've expected, the videos from Sora 2 are immediately getting pretty weird -- and, in some cases, scarily realistic looking.

Meta and OpenAI launch dueling social AI video apps

Driving the news: OpenAI on Tuesday debuted Sora, an iOS app that combines an improved AI video engine with a variety of social media features, including video sharing, scrolling through a feed and remixing. * Meta last week introduced Vibes, its own AI-video app and plans to start serving up content and advertising across its services based on the interactions people have with the Meta AI chatbot. * The company announced those plans Wednesday, saying it will send notifications and emails on Oct. 7, with AI-driven ads and experiences beginning in December. How it works: The Sora app, which is invite-only for now, includes a "cameo" tool that lets you add yourself and your friends to AI videos. * As part of the sign-up process users are required to complete a short live video repeating certain numbers or phrases and turning their head in particular ways. * This both generates a cameo to authenticate a user's likeness and help stop impersonation. Users can approve or remove videos made with their likeness. What they're saying: OpenAI took pains to contrast what it's doing with Sora from past social media. Sora is optimized "for long-term user satisfaction," Altman said. * "The majority of users, looking back on the past 6 months, should feel that their life is better for using Sora [than] it would have been if they hadn't," Altman wrote on his blog. * "If that's not the case, we will make significant changes (and if we can't fix it, we would discontinue offering the service)." Between the lines: People are already sharing all kinds of information with their chatbot of choice, from inner thoughts to highly personal medical data. * These details could arm the makers of AI engines with all they need to deliver incredibly targeted advertising as well as content designed to keep people scrolling. * OpenAI denies any current plans to put advertising in Sora. * "A lot of problems with other apps stem from the monetization model incentivizing decisions that are at odds with user wellbeing," the company said in a blog post on Tuesday. * "Transparently, our only current plan is to eventually give users the option to pay some amount to generate an extra video if there's too much demand relative to available compute. As the app evolves, we will openly communicate any changes in our approach here, while continuing to keep user wellbeing as our main goal." Meta, meanwhile, has made no bones about its desire to merge AI with its proven advertising-based business model. * The company has long reserved the right to use nearly any data shared with Meta AI however it sees fit, including to serve up ads or hone its AI models. * The new video-sharing app and move to use Meta AI data for ads merely confirm it is putting those plans in action. Yes, but: Even as it decries the past, OpenAI has made moves that could lead it down a similar path, especially as it looks for a way to offset the massive cost of delivering generative AI video. * OpenAI also recently added a "Pulse" feature to ChatGPT that proactively serves up information based on a person's interests. In doing so, it created a canvas that industry watchers noted seems tailor made for advertising. What we're watching: Many of the videos trending in my Sora feed featured Sam Altman, who enabled anyone to use him as a cameo.

Sora and the Sloppy Future of AI

Last week, Meta's newly appointed chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, who co-founded the AI data-collection and annotation firm Scale.ai, announced Vibes, "a new feed in the Meta AI app for short-form, AI-generated videos." Early responses were basically unanimous: What? Why? In testing, it felt, at most, like a chance to try out recent clip-generation tech for free. Otherwise, the feed was unfocused and confusing, full of overcooked generations by strangers unified only by the drab meta-aesthetics that have come to define AI imagery over the last couple of years: CGI-ish scenery and characters; real places and people rendered as uncanny stock photography; the work of Thomas Kinkade if he got into microdosing mushrooms. Even the more positive reviews couldn't help but call it a feed of slop. In hindsight, though, the release of Vibes now makes a little more sense. Meta, which has been spending massive amounts of money to poach talent from other AI firms, probably knew a great deal about what OpenAI was about to release: a new version of its video-generation product, Sora, this time packaged as a TikTok-style app, dropped on Tuesday. In contrast with Vibes, Sora -- an invite-only app with limited access -- was an instant viral hit. What's the difference? Underlying models matter a little bit here. In an apparent rush to get the app out, and lacking better tech of its own, Meta ended up leaning on an outside image-and-video-generation company. Meanwhile, the latest OpenAI model is obviously more capable of producing what you ask it for, whether that's a fairly realistic clip of a real person doing something normal, a jokey visual mash-up -- or something stranger or more illicit, despite OpenAI's attempts to include a wide range of guardrails. Early examples going around on social media included macabre or gross videos, the nonconsensual likenesses of public figures, and copyrighted characters. The Sora videos tended to feel either shockingly good, sort of grimy, or both (its own easily circumventable rules are notable, but as much as anything make it impossible to ignore the vastly more dire possibilities that already exist beyond the platform, courtesy of open and increasingly capable video-generation models). What really made the app work, however, were two features. One encouraged users to create avatars of themselves, called Cameos, which could then be included in videos. The other was the ability to, with users' permission, include their Cameos in your videos. Some of the first videos to get momentum on Sora were people making jokes about Sam Altman, commanding his avatar into various absurd, embarrassing, or simply unexpected situations. Far more compelling, though, was to try Sora with people you know. If the sanctioned (and ultimately flattering) ritual of teasing OpenAI's CEO with his own product as it harvested users' likenesses defined early popular content, the experience of actually using the app was defined by stranger and more personal experiences. Oh, there's a version of me, looking and sounding slightly wrong but uncomfortably familiar, operating at my command. Oh, I can include a friend in this one, and I can make him say or do whatever we want. Sora, the model, is a tech demo. Sora, the feed, is an experiment tucked into a TikTok clone, only somewhat more interesting than Vibes. Sora, the consensual deep-fake automator, makes the most sense in the context of a group chat, or within the app in little-noticed interactions between friends. Messing around with your own avatar is unsettling, interesting, and entertaining, an in the queasy tradition of social-media face filters or those old apps that used "AI" to make you look old in exchange for your privacy. Messing around with the avatars of people you know, together, is startling and fun. Using Sora is a bit like dressing up as one another for Halloween: It's easy to get a laugh and easy to go a little bit too far. Sora is presumably extremely expensive to run, hence OpenAI's use of a chained invite program to roll it out. In its early form, it brings to mind the early days of image generators like Midjourney, the video model for which Meta is now borrowing for Vibes. Like Sora, Midjourney in 2022, was a fascinating demo that was, for a few days, really fun to mess with for a lot of the same reasons: A vast majority of the images I've generated have been jokes -- most for friends, others between me and the bot. It's fun, for a while, to interrupt a chat about which mousetrap to buy by asking a supercomputer for a horrific rendering of a man stuck in a bed of glue or to respond to a shared Zillow link with a rendering of a "McMansion Pyramid of Giza..." ...I still use Midjourney this way, but the novelty has worn off, in no small part because the renderings have just gotten better -- less "strange and beautiful" than "competent and plausible." The bit has also gotten stale, and I've mapped the narrow boundaries of my artistic imagination. Playing with Sora is a similar experience: a destabilizing encounter with a strange and uncomfortable technology that will soon become ubiquitous but also rapidly and surprisingly banal. It also produces similar results: a bunch of generations that are interesting to you and your friends but look like slop to anyone else. The abundant glitches, like my avatar's tendency to include counting in all dialogue, help make the generations interesting. Many of the videos that are compelling beyond the context of their creation are interesting largely as specimens or artifacts -- that is, as examples of how a prompt ("sam altman mounted to the wall like a big mouth Billy bass, full body") gets translated into ... something. (As one friend noted, many of these videos become unwatchable if you can't see what the prompt was.) This makes Sora interesting to compare to more straightforwardly "social" networks, where most content is likewise produced for small audiences and lacks appeal beyond that context. Here, too, celebrities and brands are what people want to see, but with the expectation that they can be commanded and manipulated, not just consumed. Sora: It's pretty fucking weird! It's also clearly compelling, and it (or imitations of it) are going to confront way more people -- soon. OpenAI's willingness to release strange, glitchy preview products (and to gleefully violate norms in the process) is at this point an established strategy and one that has reliably netted it users (in the case of ChatGPT, which now has hundreds of millions of users) or at least renewed attention (as when OpenAI demonstrated new image-generation tools through a viral aesthetic rip-off campaign). In terms of the AI "alignment" debate, for whatever it's worth, the leading AI firm optimizing its product output for engagement is somewhere between "bad" and "apocalyptic." It's also something that Meta, despite its reputation for engagement-at-all-cost product design, can't seem to pull off no matter how hard it tries. In the broader discourse around what modern AI is for and where it might be going, it's also useful to try to reconcile with some of the rhetoric from companies like OpenAI about why they need to raise so much money to build so many data centers. (For a glimpse of the view from within Google, see the above posts from people who work on AI there.) Are we trying to cure cancer? Obsolete knowledge workers? Build robots? Compete with Instagram? Buy some more runway? For now, the answer seems to be, "Hey, check out Sora, the app where you can make Sam Altman dance."

OpenAI's Sora 2 Adds Audio and Lets You Star in AI Videos - Phandroid

OpenAI just launched Sora 2, and it's bringing something the original model couldn't do: audio. The new AI video generator was released on September 30 with an iOS app that lets you create 10-second clips complete with synced dialogue, sound effects, and background music. But the real hook is Cameos, a feature that lets you insert yourself into AI-generated videos after a quick verification scan. Think TikTok meets AI, except you're the star of videos you never actually filmed. Sora 2 brings major improvements to how AI understands the real world. Earlier models would cheat physics to make prompts work. If a basketball player missed a shot, the ball might teleport into the hoop. Now it bounces off the backboard like it should. The model can handle complex movements like gymnastics routines and paddleboard flips with accurate physics. There's a tradeoff though. Videos max out at 10 seconds instead of the original Sora's 20-second limit. OpenAI says the shorter length comes from focusing on higher realism and better audio sync. The Sora app isn't just a video generator. It's built like a social network where you can remix other people's videos, add friends via Cameos, and scroll through a feed of AI creations. You control who can use your likeness through permission settings, and you're marked as co-owner of any video featuring you. The app is iOS only right now, with no word on Android availability. Access is invite only, but early users can invite four friends. Only people in the US and Canada can join for now. OpenAI says they're taking safety seriously with detection tools and watermarks on downloaded videos. But if you've been following ChatGPT's privacy issues, you know OpenAI's track record isn't perfect. The company also notified studios that copyrighted material might appear in Sora videos unless they opt out. Sora 2 is free with usage limits. ChatGPT Pro subscribers get access to a higher quality "Sora 2 Pro" model. An API for developers is coming in the next few weeks.

OpenAI's Sora Joins Meta in Pushing AI-Generated Videos. Some Are Worried About a Flood of 'AI Slop'

If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers. -- -- -- -- AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.

We need to stop the slop of OpenAI's Sora and Meta's Vibes AI video apps before it's too late

The new slop that just dropped risks drowning us all in a sea of vibes-based garbage where 'the feeling behind the image is what's true.' Whether it's Sam Altman surreptitiously stealing GPUs from a Target, trying to make a break for the door under the gaze of security cameras as he tucks a box containing a valuable computer chip under his arm, or Super Mario appearing in Star Wars, the rupture in reality brought about by OpenAI's AI-generated video social network, Sora, is significant. What previously would have been decried as deepfaked videos have gone viral on social media in the last two days, while also outstripping the release of Meta's competing product, Vibes.

Can OpenAI's Sora 2-powered social media app rival TikTok?

OpenAI is apparently preparing to release a standalone social media app alongside the latest release of its AI video generation model Sora. As OpenAI prepares to launch the newest version of its AI video-generator Sora, reports say it will be accompanied by the launch of a TikTok-style social media app, and that talent agents and studios are being notified that copyright holders are required to opt out. According to Wired, the launch of Sora 2 will be accompanied by the TikTok-like app which will feature a vertical video feed and swipe to scroll navigation. One big difference, according to documents seen by Wired, is that users will not be able to directly upload photos or videos from their own camera rolls, meaning that all material shared will be AI generated. Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal has exclusive reporting that talent agents and studios have been receiving notifications from OpenAI over the past week warning them that copyrighted materials will be used unless the creators or owners actively opt out, and that the release of the new app is only days away. As is fairly typical of the big AI players, OpenAI is apparently warning that movie studios, for example, who do not actively opt out will see their copyright materials being able to be used in Sora and the mooted social media app. It's becoming common practice in the US for copyright holders to have to fight back later, once their materials have been used, so the active opt-out option appears certainly to be an attempt by OpenAI to cover themselves in advance from any subsequent lawsuits. However, sources also told the WSJ that the new product will not generate material featuring recognisable public figures without their permission, which will be a relief to many high profile people, and should help combat any political deepfakes being created on the platform. It quotes OpenAI chief strategy officer Jason Kwon saying it is the company's general approach "to treat likeness and copyright distinctly". Given the new social app looks set to use only AI-generated materials, OpenAI appears to be betting that an AI-only video app may be the way to go. It is difficult to imagine competing directly with TikTok should users not be able to upload their own content, but the documents certainly suggest it is TikTok that it has in its sights. As well as the vertical video feed and swipe to scroll navigation, there will be a 'For You' style page powered by a recommendation algorithm and a menu bar will allow users to like, comment or remix a video. Users will be able to create videoclips up to 10 seconds long, utilising OpenAI's new Sora 2 video-generation model. Meta clearly already has TikTok in its sights with its plans for the next iteration of Instagram. It is currently testing a Reels-first version with a "limited number of users" in India, and in its iPad app. Now is it OpenAI's turn to give the Bytedance algorithm a run for its money at a time when everyone awaits the final deal for ownership of TikTok US. Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

OpenAI Launching TikTok Competitor for Short-Form AI Slop Videos

OpenAI is said to be launching a TikTok-like app that recommends an endless stream of swipeable -- and purely AI-generated -- short-form videos. As Wired reports, the company is expected to launch the stand-alone app alongside its Sora 2 text-to-video AI-generation tool. The app will consist of a personalized video feed that closely resembles TikTok's For You page, according to documents viewed by the magazine. The focus will exclusively be on AI-generated content, as users won't be able to share any photos or videos from their camera rolls or other apps. Interestingly, though, they'll be able to use their own likeness to inspire AI videos and tag each other. In other words, it sounds like a deepfake generator on steroids. At least users will be notified if their likeness gets used, per Wired. And while it may sound like an endless supply of uninspired AI slop that nobody asked for -- we're certainly contending with enough of the stuff on the internet as it is -- sources told Wired that the app "received overwhelmingly positive feedback from employees" during internal testing. It came to the point where managers at OpenAI were reportedly joking that the app would turn into too much of a distraction for employees. It remains unclear when OpenAI will unveil Sora 2. The company released Sora, its first text-to-video model, in December 2024, integrating it into ChatGPT. Since then, a number of the firm's competitors, including Meta and Google, have released their own alternatives. Earlier this year, Google released Veo 3, a powerful new model that can create impressive photorealistic video clips. A TikTok-like Sora experience also wouldn't be the first app dedicated exclusively to sharing AI slop. Just last week, Meta announced an app called Vibes, a "new feed of AI videos at the center of the Meta AI app." Google is also integrating a version of Veo 3 into YouTube Shorts, so it's clear that all the major AI players are moving toward the same idea. If you're wondering how OpenAI's attempts to launch an AI video app will avoid devolving into a cesspool of disinformation and unsolicited deepfakes, you're not alone. TikTok has had to update its policies to ensure that its users are "having authentic experiences," forbidding "misinformation that could cause significant harm to individuals or society, no matter the intent of the person posting it," and specifically calling out "AIGC," or AI-generated content. "Even with labels, some edited or AI-generated content can still be harmful," TikTok's community guidelines read. Then there's the tendency of video and image generators to violate copyright, which has already led to high-profile lawsuits. How OpenAI will address these issues with a TikTok competitor remains to be seen. Given the amount of scrutiny the firm is already under, especially when it comes to underage users who are engaging in alarming conversations with ChatGPT, OpenAI will likely be treading carefully.

OpenAI's Sora 2 Changes the Game With Its Social Take on AI Videos

Meta's Vibe, on the other hand, appears to be struggling to create a buzz OpenAI's social media app is taking the Internet by storm. The iOS-only app allows users to generate artificial intelligence (AI) videos of themselves or other users and share them on the platform publicly. It is a twist on the standard vertical, short video content idea, which plays on the popularity of AI-generated content. But OpenAI is not the only one capitalising on this idea. Meta's recently announced Vibe feed on its AI app also explores this idea, encouraging users to create and share AI videos. Google also saw success in socialising AI content with the Gemini-powered "Nano Banana" trends. OpenAI's Sora 2 Proves They're Leading the AI Content Race The Sora app appears as a TikTok or Reels clone, but its functionality is entirely around video generation AI models. Once a user adds a video of themselves and verifies their identity, they can then generate AI videos of themselves in any setting using a text prompt. It also comes with a Cameo feature that allows them to take the protagonist of a video, which is usually another user, and create a video of them in a different AI-generated setting. The capability of using your own likeness in an AI video has become an instant hit among users. Users have been sharing videos of themselves riding a snowmobile, exploring space, diving into the ocean from a cliff, and hanging out with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on platforms such as Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter). But where Sora soared, Meta appears to just be staying afloat. Despite a big announcement and some traction on the platform, there does not seem to be any buzz on the feature. This is likely because while users can generate AI videos, and others can change the picture and music to create their own iteration, the Meta Vibes feed lacks a personalisation element. On the other hand, Instagram's teased video AI feature is yet to arrive. Google was able to successfully tap into the social media trend using its Nano Banana model, where users can upload an image of themselves and make any changes to it. However, its virality was also limited due to not having a fixed platform to share the content, and the lack of a video element. Based on the content being shared online and the trending Sora hashtag, for now, OpenAI seems to be leading the AI content race. Five Things About the Sora App 1. The iOS-only Sora app is currently available on an invite basis. This means that unless one has an invitation from an existing user, they will not be able to generate videos or view what others have created. This appears to be a strategy to keep the compute costs manageable and prevent its servers from being overloaded. However, if more users are unable to access the app soon enough, the platform's popularity could suffer. 2. There is a dark pattern with the Sora app. X user @PaulYacoubian shared a screenshot highlighting that if users try to delete their Sora app account, OpenAI warns them that the same phone number and email address cannot be used to create another account. Additionally, if users have been using the ChatGPT application programming interface (API) with the same account, access to that will also be removed. This appears to be a strategy to disincentivise users from deleting their accounts. To what end, that is not known. 3. According to a TechCrunch report, the Sora app rose to third position in the Top Overall app on the US App Store with 56,000 downloads. And in the first 48 hours of being live, it reportedly climbed to 1,64,000 installs. The download statistic reportedly places Sora ahead of Claude and Copilot, and on par with Grok. While it is still behind Gemini and ChatGPT's iOS apps, this is a big achievement for an invite-only app. 4. The concern around deepfakes has increased significantly with the Sora app. The app lets a user not only create a video of themselves but other users in various AI-generated settings. OpenAI does claim to have added safeguards to mitigate harmful usage of the platform, but users can still use it to spread misinformation. For instance, TechCrunch reported that social media is abuzz with users creating realistic videos of themselves with Altman. 5. Copyright infringement is another issue that can soon plague the Sora app. Recently, one of the Sora developers posted a video involving Super Mario. Other users have created videos of Pikachu playing the protagonist in different movies. With Warner Bros. Discovery recently filing a lawsuit against Midjourney for generating images in the likeness of its copyrighted characters such as Batman and Superman, how long as OpenAI go before it is hit with a similar copyright lawsuit? Time will tell. Is Big Tech Stuck in an Innovation Loop? When it comes to AI, there is an innovation loop pattern. Once a company releases a feature, soon, rivals either implement a similar feature. We saw this when OpenAI first released Deep Research, followed by similar announcements by Google and Perplexity, and the same was observed with features such as web search, image generation, native audio generation, and AI-powered web browsers very recently. This does not even take into consideration the assistant-style implementation, the same old chat interfaces, and similar agentic functionalities. Currently, AI-powered short videos seem to be the flavour of the month. As we discussed above, major players have started experimenting with social media-style AI videos, and others could soon get on the bandwagon. The repetition suggests a kind of innovation treadmill. Companies are racing to offer marginal improvements without fundamentally reimagining the technology or offering something truly unique. Once an AI player breaks new ground, others immediately join in the trend with their own take on the capability. This cycle risks turning generative AI into a commoditised service, where differentiation depends less on breakthroughs and more on branding and ecosystems.

OpenAI's Sora makes disinformation extremely easy and extremely real

OpenAI's new Sora app generates strikingly realistic AI videos of fake events, from ballot fraud to city street attacks, raising alarm among experts. Despite some safeguards, the app's ability to create convincing disinformation poses significant risks to democracy, consumer trust, and the perception of reality, making it increasingly difficult to discern truth from fabrication. In its first three days, users of a new app from OpenAI deployed artificial intelligence to create strikingly realistic videos of ballot fraud, immigration arrests, protests, crimes and attacks on city streets -- none of which took place. The app, called Sora, requires just a text prompt to create almost any footage a user can dream up. Users can also upload images of themselves, allowing their likeness and voice to become incorporated into imaginary scenes. The app can integrate certain fictional characters, company logos and even deceased celebrities. Sora -- as well as Google's Veo 3 and other tools like it -- could become increasingly fertile breeding grounds for disinformation and abuse, experts said. While worries about AI's ability to enable misleading content and outright fabrications have risen steadily in recent years, Sora's advances underscore just how much easier such content is to produce, and how much more convincing it is. Increasingly realistic videos are more likely to lead to consequences in the real world by exacerbating conflicts, defrauding consumers, swinging elections or framing people for crimes they did not commit, experts said. "It's worrisome for consumers who every day are being exposed to God knows how many of these pieces of content," said Hany Farid, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a co-founder of GetReal Security. "I worry about it for our democracy. I worry for our economy. I worry about it for our institutions." OpenAI has said it released the app after extensive safety testing, and experts noted that the company had made an effort to include guardrails. "Our usage policies prohibit misleading others through impersonation, scams or fraud, and we take action when we detect misuse," the company said in a statement in response to questions about the concerns. In tests by The New York Times, the app refused to generate imagery of famous people who had not given their permission and declined prompts that asked for graphic violence. It also denied some prompts asking for political content. "Sora 2's ability to generate hyperrealistic video and audio raises important concerns around likeness, misuse and deception," OpenAI wrote in a document accompanying the app's debut. "As noted above, we are taking a thoughtful and iterative approach in deployment to minimize these potential risks." (The Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to AI systems. The two companies have denied those claims.) The safeguards, however, were not foolproof. Sora, which is currently accessible only through an invitation from an existing user, does not require users to verify their accounts -- meaning they may be able to sign up with a name and profile image that is not theirs. (To create an AI likeness, users must upload a video of themselves using the app. In tests by the Times, Sora rejected attempts to make AI likenesses using videos of famous people.) The app will generate content involving children without issue, as well as content featuring long-dead public figures such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Jackson. The app would not produce videos of President Donald Trump or other world leaders. But when asked to create a political rally with attendees wearing "blue and holding signs about rights and freedoms," Sora produced a video featuring the unmistakable voice of former President Barack Obama. Until recently, videos were reasonably reliable as evidence of actual events, even after it became easy to edit photographs and text in realistic ways. Sora's high-quality video, however, raises the risk that viewers will lose all trust in what they see, experts said. Sora videos feature a moving watermark identifying them as AI creations, but experts said such marks could be edited out with some effort. "It was somewhat hard to fake, and now that final bastion is dying," said Lucas Hansen, a founder of CivAI, a nonprofit that studies the abilities and dangers of artificial intelligence. "There is almost no digital content that can be used to prove that anything in particular happened." Such an effect is known as the liar's dividend: that increasingly high-caliber AI videos will allow people to dismiss authentic content as fake. Imagery presented in a fast-moving scroll, as it is on Sora, is conducive to quick impressions but not rigorous fact-checking, experts said. They said the app was capable of generating videos that could spread propaganda and present sham evidence that lent credence to conspiracy theories, implicated innocent people in crimes or inflamed volatile situations. Although the app refused to create images of violence, it willingly depicted convenience store robberies and home intrusions captured on doorbell cameras. A Sora developer posted a video from the app showing Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, shoplifting from Target. It also created videos of bombs exploding on city streets and other fake images of war -- content that is considered highly sensitive for its potential to mislead the public about global conflicts. Fake and outdated footage has circulated on social media in all recent wars, but the app raises the prospect that such content could be tailor-made and delivered by perceptive algorithms to receptive audiences. "Now I'm getting really, really great videos that reinforce my beliefs, even though they're false, but you're never going to see them because they were never delivered to you," said Kristian J. Hammond, a professor who runs the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence at Northwestern University. "The whole notion of separated, balkanized realities, we already have, but this just amplifies it." Farid, the Berkeley professor, said Sora was "part of a continuum" that had only accelerated since Google unveiled its Veo 3 video generator in May. Even he, an expert whose company is devoted to spotting fabricated images, now struggles at first glance to distinguish real from fake, Farid said. "A year ago, more or less, when I would look at it, I would know, and then I would run my analysis to confirm my visual analysis," he said. "And I could do that because I look at these things all day long and I sort of knew where the artifacts were. I can't do that anymore."

OpenAI reportedly plans to launch TikTok-like app with Sora 2 launch

According to a report from Wired, OpenAI is gearing up to release a social media app that "closely resembles" TikTok, with a swipe-to-scroll vertical video feed. The main difference is that the AI videos you're seeing on TikTok and Reels and Shorts will be the only content of OpenAI's app. According to Wired's report, users won't even be able to upload their own photos or videos from their own camera roll -- instead, they'll have to use Sora 2 to generate clips that are 10 seconds or shorter, copyright allowing. Of course, you can make it a little weirder and a little bit more social by verifying your identity within the app and letting Sora 2 use your likeness for the short videos it creates, Wired reported. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable, and the timeline for when -- or if -- this app goes public isn't entirely clear. For now, if you really want to soak up some AI slop, might I recommend the feed on the Meta AI app?

OpenAI debuts Sora app for sharing AI clips

Why it matters: The move is OpenAI's biggest foray yet to turn its AI tools into a social experience and follows similar moves by Meta. Driving the news: The Sora app on iOS requires an invitation. An Android version will follow eventually, OpenAI told Axios. * The social app is powered by Sora 2, a new version of OpenAI's video model, which also launched Tuesday. * Sora 2 adds support for synchronized audio and video, including dialogue. OpenAI says Sora 2 is significantly better at simulating real-world physics, among other improvements. * "The original Sora model from February 2024 was in many ways the GPT-1 moment for video," OpenAI said in a blog post. "With Sora 2, we are jumping straight to what we think may be the GPT-3.5 moment for video." How it works: The Sora app creates shareable 10-second video clips based on prompts or photos (as long as the photos don't have people in them). * Sora users can include themselves in the video using a "cameo" feature that requires people to follow a series of instructions to authenticate themselves (an approach designed to avoid impersonation). * They can also choose to allow their likeness to be used by friends in their videos. When someone's own "cameo" is used, they are notified and have the ability to approve the usage or delete the video. * Videos can be shared publicly or just with friends via a group message. Others can choose to "remix" creations by adding tweaks to the prompt or their own cameo to the video. The intrigue: OpenAI says it will prioritize access to those who were heavy users of the original Sora model and Pro subscribers, followed by Plus and Team plan users and eventually all users, including those using ChatGPT for free. * Everyone who is invited to download the app will be given codes to give to friends. Between the lines: OpenAI gives people tight control over their own identity but takes a hands-off approach to copyright, leaving it to rights holders to ask for removal. * It's similar to the approach OpenAI has taken with ChatGPT's image generation feature, which is capable of recreating a wide range of fictional universes, such as Star Wars or The Simpsons. * OpenAI has also taken steps to ensure Sora's creations are labeled as AI created, including both digital content credentials and visible watermarking when videos are downloaded. The big picture: The move reflects a broader push to make AI a more social experience. * Meta last week announced Vibes, its own social app for sharing AI videos. * Speaking to reporters ahead of the launch, the Sora team said the app is built to spark creativity over passive consumption, framing it as a tool for real-world friends. * The company also outlined a list of controls available for parents, including deciding whether or not teens have access to direct messages and whether their feed should be interrupted after extended scrolling. * OpenAI detailed a separate set of parental controls for ChatGPT on Monday. What to watch: While Meta -- and now OpenAI -- are betting that people want to spend time making and sharing AI creations, it's not clear yet that they will.

Top 10 Sora 2 Features For Effortless, Mind Blowing Cinematic AI Videos

What if creating a professional-grade video didn't require a camera, a crew, or even a script? Imagine generating a cinematic masterpiece with just a few prompts, complete with lifelike motion, immersive audio, and stunning visual styles. This isn't a futuristic fantasy; it's the promise of OpenAI Sora 2, the next leap in AI-powered video generation. From personalized cameos to seamless storytelling, Sora 2 is redefining what's possible in digital content creation. But as with any new technology, it raises as many questions as it answers: How far can AI push creative boundaries? And what does it mean for the future of human artistry? AI Grid unpack the 10 most essential insights about OpenAI Sora 2, from its advanced physics simulation to its ethical safeguards. Whether you're a filmmaker, educator, or simply curious about the future of AI, you'll discover how Sora 2 is transforming video production into a more accessible, innovative, and thought-provoking process. Along the way, we'll explore its potential to provide widespread access to creativity while addressing the challenges it poses to industries and individuals alike. As we provide more insight into these key features, consider not just the technology itself, but the broader implications it carries for storytelling, ethics, and the role of AI in shaping culture. Sora 2 incorporates native audio integration, embedding sound effects and background music directly into generated videos. This eliminates the need for manual audio editing, significantly reducing production time and effort. By seamlessly pairing sound with visuals, the platform delivers a more immersive experience. For example, a scene depicting a bustling city street will automatically include ambient noise, such as traffic sounds and distant chatter, enhancing its authenticity and emotional impact. One of the standout features of Sora 2 is its advanced physics engine, which ensures lifelike motion and interactions. Whether you're generating a gymnast's routine or simulating objects colliding, the system delivers realistic movements and environmental dynamics. This improvement is particularly valuable for creating action-packed sequences or dynamic content that demands precision. The enhanced physics simulation also supports more complex storytelling, making it a versatile tool for filmmakers and animators. Sora 2 expands its style customization options, allowing users to create videos in specific aesthetics, such as anime, photorealism, or even abstract art. The platform supports multi-shot instructions, making sure cohesive storytelling across scenes while maintaining visual consistency. For instance, users can produce a short film that seamlessly transitions between settings while preserving the same artistic style. This feature enables creators to experiment with diverse visual formats, catering to a wide range of audiences and genres. The new Cameo feature allows users to insert themselves or others into generated scenes with remarkable realism. Facial expressions, body movements, and overall integration are handled with precision, allowing personalized content creation. This opens up opportunities for interactive storytelling, where users can become part of the narrative. For example, educators could create instructional videos featuring themselves in virtual environments, while marketers could craft personalized advertisements tailored to specific audiences. AI-generated videos often face challenges in maintaining consistency over extended sequences. Sora 2 addresses this issue by making sure coherence in character movements, lighting, and environmental details throughout longer scenes. This capability is particularly useful for generating sports highlights, cinematic narratives, or any content requiring sustained realism. By reducing visual inconsistencies, Sora 2 enhances the overall quality and believability of AI-generated videos. Dive deeper into OpenAI Sora with other articles and guides we have written below. While no AI system is entirely flawless, Sora 2 significantly reduces generative errors, such as distorted visuals or mismatched elements. These improvements result in higher-quality outputs that are more reliable for professional use. Although occasional mistakes may still occur, the platform's enhanced accuracy makes it a dependable tool for creators seeking consistent results. This reliability is especially important for industries like advertising, education, and entertainment, where precision is critical. Currently, Sora 2 is available on an invite-only basis in the U.S. and Canada. OpenAI plans to expand access globally in the near future, with a "Sora 2 Pro" version expected to be offered to ChatGPT Pro users. This phased rollout strategy allows OpenAI to scale the platform effectively while gathering valuable user feedback. By refining the system based on real-world use cases, OpenAI aims to ensure a smoother experience for all users as the technology becomes more widely available. Sora 2 is designed with a strong emphasis on accessibility, making it user-friendly for individuals with minimal technical expertise. Its intuitive interface and streamlined workflows enable a wide range of users, from casual hobbyists to professional filmmakers, to create complex videos with ease. This widespread access of video production has the potential to inspire new waves of creativity, empowering people from diverse backgrounds to explore and express their ideas through AI-generated content. To address potential misuse, OpenAI has implemented several ethical safeguards in Sora 2. For example, default usage limits are set for younger users to prevent overuse, and the Cameo feature requires stricter permissions to ensure personal likenesses are not exploited without consent. These measures reflect OpenAI's commitment to responsible AI deployment, balancing innovation with the need to protect individual rights and privacy. By prioritizing ethical considerations, OpenAI aims to foster trust and accountability in the use of AI technologies. The capabilities of Sora 2 hint at a future where AI-generated TV shows, films, and other creative projects become commonplace. However, this technological progress raises important questions about copyright, intellectual property, and the ethical use of AI-generated content. Addressing these challenges will be critical to making sure fair and responsible practices as the technology continues to evolve. Sora 2 not only sets a new standard for AI-driven video production but also prompts broader discussions about the role of AI in shaping the creative industries.

OpenAI Launches Sora 2 Video Generation Model with Audio and a New iOS App

The new Sora app lets users generate videos, remix prompts, and insert themselves into scenes. OpenAI has officially launched Sora 2, the highly anticipated AI video generation model. Sora is the flagship video and audio generation model by OpenAI and the company is calling it the "GPT-3.5 moment for video". Sora 2 delivers a huge leap in realism, prompt adherence, and world simulation. OpenAI says Sora 2 is more "physically accurate, realistic, and controllable than prior systems." On top of that, Sora 2 can generate video along with synchronized audio, just like Google's Veo 3. Sora 2 is also very powerful at generating physics-based videos such as Olympic gymnastics routines, backflips on a paddleboard, and more. In addition, Sora 2 can generate dialogue, background soundscapes, speech, and sound effects with incredible accuracy. There is also an option to inject new elements into Sora 2 with precise portrayal of appearance and voice. For instance, you can insert humans, animals or objects into any video clip. Apart from that, OpenAI has launched a new Sora app which is powered by the new Sora 2 model. Currently, it's invite-only and available for iPhones. You can download the new Sora app right here (Download). You can create new AI videos, add your own prompt to remix videos, and discover AI videos shared by other users. It sounds similar to the new Vibes app launched by Meta recently. One of the important features inside the app is Cameos, where users can upload a short video and audio clip to insert themselves into any Sora scene with realistic likeness and voice. OpenAI says this makes Sora feel more like a social platform than just a video tool. That said, the Sora app is currently available in the US and Canada, with expansion planned for other regions. On top of that, access to high-quality Sora 2 Pro model is limited to ChatGPT Pro users while the faster Sora 1 Turbo model is free for all users.

OpenAI Launches New TikTok-Like Social App Powered by Sora 2 Model

The AI model's prompt adherence has been improved, OpenAI said OpenAI unveiled the Sora 2 video generation model on Tuesday, introducing several new capabilities and improvements. The artificial intelligence (AI) model arrives nearly a year after the first Sora model was released. Access to the new AI video model will be available for free via a new TikTok-style social media app. The iOS-only app's access can only be obtained via an invite. The app allows users to generate AI videos of themselves and share them with friends. Users can also generate similar videos of others via a "Cameo" feature. Sora 2 AI Model and New Sora for iOS App Released In a blog post, the San Francisco-based AI firm announced and detailed the new AI model and the app. The biggest improvement comes in terms of native audio generation, bringing it on par with Google's Veo 3. Calling Sora 2 the "GPT‑3.5 moment for video," OpenAI said that it can now handle complex movements while maintaining realistic physics in videos. In a demo video, a gymnast was shown performing flips on a balance beam with close-to-reality movements, highlighting the capabilities of the model. OpenAI also claimed that Sora 2 does not morph objects or deform reality to execute a prompt. This would mean fewer hallucinations in the output videos. Controllability of the output has also been improved, and now Sora 2 can follow instructions spanning multiple shots while keeping the world state consistent, the company said. Notably, the video generation model is said to perform the best when it comes to realistic, cinematic, and anime styles. Currently, the Sora 2 model is available via the Sora for iOS app. It is an invite-only app, which is available to individuals in Canada and the US. The new app resembles TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts in terms of interface. The only difference is that all the videos on this app are generated by Sora 2. Notably, Sora 2 video generation is currently free for all users with an invite. Also, after a user has received the invite to the app, they can also visit the Sora website to generate videos. Users can upload an input video of themselves, and using its high character consistency, the AI model can place the character in any other setting. Users can then post these videos, and their followers can watch, like, comment, and share them. They can also "Cameo" them. While scrolling through the videos, a user can tap on the Cameo button to take the character of that video and generate a different video using them and a text prompt. Essentially, it lets users create deepfakes of their friends. "We first started playing with this "upload yourself" feature several months ago on the Sora team, and we all had a blast with it. It kind of felt like a natural evolution of communication -- from text messages to emojis to voice notes to this," the company said. Notably, before a user generates a video of themselves using the app, they will have to verify their identity. So, a person cannot use a random video of a celebrity and then generate videos of them. However, the Cameo feature does take away some of the safeguards. Interestingly, OpenAI is not the only one exploring the vertical scrolling AI-generated videos app idea. Last week, Meta launched the Vibe feed on the Meta AI app, allowing users to watch short videos generated using in-house AI models.

Sam Altman defends Sora rollout: From 'cure for cancer' to AI slop videos - The Economic Times

OpenAI has launched Sora, a new app for creating short AI-generated videos, rivalling TikTok and Instagram Reels. The launch sparked mixed reactions online, some praising it, others mocking it. A viral post compared Altman's past AI ambitions with Sora's launch, calling it "AI slop videos" marketed as personalised ads.OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, designed for users to create and share short AI-generated videos. Positioned as a direct competitor to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, the app quickly gained attention, sparking a wave of mixed reactions online within hours of its debut. Some users praised the innovation, while others criticised the move, even creating memes about it. One post on X showed an image of Sam Altman with the text: "I'm doing it because I love it", poking fun at the timing of the launch. The post read: Sam Altman 2 weeks ago: "we need 7 trillion dollars and 10GW to cure cancer." Sam Altman today: "We are launching AI slop videos marketed as personalized ads" In response, Altman addressed the backlash directly, writing: "I get the vibe here, but...we do mostly need the capital for build AI that can do science, and for sure we are focused on AGI with almost all of our research effort." He added: "It is also nice to show people cool new tech/products along the way, make them smile, and hopefully make some money given all that compute need." Altman noted that similar doubts were raised when ChatGPT first launched, with many questioning its usefulness and how it related to the company's long-term goal of AGI. He noted: "Reality is nuanced when it comes to optimal trajectories for a company." Following the launch, there was not just criticism of the move but also a wave of AI-generated videos featuring Altman himself. Responding to this, he wrote: "It is way less strange to watch a feed full of memes of yourself than i thought it would be," adding, "Not sure what to make of this." Currently, Sora, powered by OpenAI's latest video model Sora 2, is available only on iOS. It is also limited to users who receive an invitation. However, those interested can apply for access through the app.

OpenAI Sora 2 Is Here : Makes Stunning Videos With Audio in Seconds

What if creating a blockbuster-quality video or a lifelike audio experience was as simple as typing out your ideas? With the launch of Sora 2, OpenAI has introduced a new platform that redefines digital content creation. Building on the foundation of its predecessor, this next-generation tool combines unparalleled realism with intuitive design, allowing creators to produce immersive videos and audio with stunning precision. Imagine crafting a short film where every motion, sound, and interaction feels authentic, Sora 2 brings that vision to life. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a curious hobbyist, this innovation promises to transform how stories are told and experienced. In this overview, OpenAI explain how Sora 2 improves creativity to new heights with features like dynamic physics, customizable AI cameos, and seamless synchronization between video and audio. You'll discover how its social media-inspired interface fosters collaboration and inspiration, while robust safety measures ensure ethical use. From personal projects to professional workflows, Sora 2 offers tools that adapt to diverse needs, making it a versatile ally for creators. As we unpack its capabilities, consider how this technology might reshape not just content creation, but the way we connect and communicate through digital media. Sora 2 sets a new standard for realism in AI-generated content. Its ability to simulate complex motion and physics allows you to create scenes with intricate dynamics, such as a gymnast executing a series of flips or a surfer navigating turbulent waves. By generating video and audio simultaneously, the system ensures seamless synchronization between visuals, dialogue, sound effects, and ambient noise, delivering an immersive and cohesive experience. For example, envision crafting a short film where characters interact naturally with their surroundings. From fluid body movements to perfectly timed soundscapes, Sora 2 enables you to bring your creative ideas to life with unparalleled precision and detail. This level of realism not only enhances storytelling but also broadens the scope of what can be achieved in digital content creation. One of the standout features of Sora 2 is its customizable AI cameo functionality. This allows you to incorporate personalized elements into your projects, such as your own likeness, a cherished pet, or a sentimental object. These elements can be tailored to interact dynamically within AI-generated environments, offering a unique and deeply personal touch to your creations. For instance, you could star in a virtual adventure or recreate a treasured memory with lifelike accuracy. OpenAI has implemented robust safeguards to ensure ethical use of this feature. You maintain full control over how your likeness or personal elements are used, with strict permissions and security measures in place to prevent unauthorized applications. This balance of creativity and security makes Sora 2 a reliable platform for personal and professional use. Expand your understanding of AI video generators with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Sora 2's interface is designed to inspire creativity and encourage collaboration. Drawing inspiration from social media platforms, the app enables users to create, share, and remix AI-generated content effortlessly. You can explore trending themes, apply mood-based filters to discover relevant material, or engage with creative prompts tailored to your interests. For example, if you're seeking inspiration, the app might suggest popular trends or showcase user-generated content that aligns with your preferences. This collaborative approach not only sparks creativity but also fosters a sense of community among users. By connecting creators and encouraging shared experiences, Sora 2 transforms content creation into a more interactive and engaging process. OpenAI has prioritized safety and moderation in the development of Sora 2. The app incorporates measures to prevent the creation of harmful or inappropriate content. All AI-generated material is clearly labeled with watermarks and traceable metadata, making sure transparency and accountability. To promote a balanced and positive experience, especially for younger users, Sora 2 includes features such as limited scrolling and nudges toward active content creation rather than passive consumption. These safeguards aim to create a safe and enriching environment for users of all ages, reinforcing OpenAI's commitment to ethical AI development. Sora 2 is currently available on iOS in the United States and Canada through an invite-only system, with plans to expand to Android and additional regions in the near future. The app also offers API integration and advanced creator tools, making it adaptable for a wide range of users, from casual creators to industry professionals. For example, developers can use Sora 2's video and audio generation capabilities within third-party applications, extending its utility across various industries. Whether you're fine-tuning content for personal projects or incorporating AI tools into professional workflows, Sora 2 provides the flexibility and scalability to meet diverse needs. This adaptability ensures that Sora 2 remains a valuable resource for creators at every level. Sora 2 represents more than just a tool for content creation, it embodies OpenAI's broader vision of advancing artificial intelligence toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). By developing systems capable of understanding and simulating the physical world, OpenAI aims to foster creativity, joy, and human connection. Sora 2 emphasizes collaboration and social interaction, encouraging you to explore the intersection of human ingenuity and AI innovation. This vision extends beyond individual projects, aiming to redefine how technology and creativity intersect. By empowering users to push the boundaries of digital content creation, Sora 2 contributes to a future where AI serves as a collaborative partner in human expression and innovation.

OpenAI introduces Sora 2 AI video model with iOS app

OpenAI introduced Sora 2, its latest video and audio generation model, alongside a new iOS app called Sora. The model brings improved realism, stronger physical accuracy, and greater controllability than its predecessor. It supports synchronized dialogue, ambient audio, and sound effects, allowing users to generate and share content within the app. The first Sora model, released in February 2024, was described as a "GPT-1 moment" for video, introducing basic features such as object permanence through scaled video training. Since then, OpenAI has focused on building models with stronger world simulation. Sora 2 represents a leap closer to a "GPT-3.5 moment," with the ability to handle advanced behaviors and physical interactions that earlier AI video systems could not. The Sora iOS app, currently invite-only, serves as the primary platform for Sora 2. Key features include: OpenAI noted that internal testing showed cameos encouraged new forms of social interaction, seen as a natural progression in digital communication. Availability OpenAI has integrated multiple safeguards into the app: The Sora Team shared its view on the progress of AI video generation and its long-term implications: Video models are improving rapidly. General-purpose world simulators and robotic agents will reshape society and accelerate human progress. Sora 2 marks important progress toward this vision. Consistent with our mission, we aim to ensure these models benefit humanity as they develop. We believe Sora will bring creativity, joy, and new ways of connection worldwide. This perspective highlights that Sora 2 is not just a technical upgrade but also a step toward aligning advanced AI with broader human benefit.

OpenAI's Sora app could be the end of social media

If you're an Instagram or TikTok user, chances are you're finding it increasingly hard to differentiate between genuine images and videos and AI-generated content. Now OpenAI has a solution for you: what if we make it all AI slop? The company behind Chat GPT is launching into the social media space with Sora, an iOS app named after its generative AI video model. The app uses OpenAI's new Sora 2 AI video model and allows users to generate videos and remix others' generations. You can also add yourself or friends to videos via 'cameos', making the app a place where you can deepfake new friends. The end of social media? OpenAI reckons it will bring back the sense of community that's been lost by other apps. Like on apps such as Instagram and TikTok, users have a feed showing content from their friends as well as posts the algorithm thinks they'll like. OpenAI says default content will be "heavily biased towards people you follow or interact with, and prioritize videos that the model thinks you're most likely to use as inspiration for your own creations". Users can also customise their feed. The cameos feature allows users to put themselves or friends into Sora scenes after they have made a short one-time video-and-audio recording in the app to verify their identity and capture their likeness. OpenAI says feedback from testers suggests this is what makes the app different and fun to use as a "new and unique way to communicate with people", and that within a week of launching the app internally it "heard from our colleagues that they're making new friends at the company because of the feature". Great so we get social media doomscrolling but now 100% fake AI content? At a time of increasing concern about the impact of deepfakes, launching an app where the entire premise to creating fake videos featuring people you may have only just connected with virtually seems an provocatively controversial move. OpenAI stresses that users can decide who can use their likeness and revoke access or remove videos that include it. It also insists that "concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and RL-sloptimized feeds are top of mind" and that it's giving users the option to be in control of what they see on their feed. It's built-in mechanisms to periodically poll users on their wellbeing and claims that it's not optimizing for time spent in feed, prioritising creation, rather than consumption, which sounds like it also makes sense for its business model since it plans to eventually charge for generations at time of high demand. It's also applying default limits on how many generations teenagers can see per day in the feed and rolling out stricter permissions on cameos for under 18s. It's not clear if this requires mere self-verification, but it's also adding parental controls⁠ via ChatGPT. Some users are likely to have questions about how OpenAI will be using their data from the app. It will be interesting to see how Instagram and TikTok react to the new competition. Now could be a great time for existing platforms to differentiate themselves by committing to genuine original content and better flagging of AI material. However, considering that Meta has tended to respond to competition by copying and implementing the same mechanics, I wouldn't be surprised if it does the opposite and introduces a deepfake tool of its own, potentially sparking a downward spiral across all social media (see our pick of the best social media platforms for artists). The Sora iOS app⁠ is available to download now though sign up is by invite only. Rollout began in the US and Canada today, and the plan is to quickly expand to additional countries. After you've received an invite, you'll also be able to access Sora 2 through sora.com⁠. Sora 2 will initially be available for free, and ChatGPT Pro users will also be able to use Sora 2 Pro.

OpenAI Sora app lets you be the hero of AI-generated films: 5 stunning features that will blow your mind

OpenAI has officially entered the social media space with its brand-new app, Sora, designed to let users create and share AI-generated videos. Launched on Tuesday, Sora is aimed at offering a TikTok-style social experience while integrating advanced AI capabilities that make video creation more imaginative and personalised. The app allows users to produce hyperreal videos from text prompts, generate images, add synchronised audio, and explore creative collaborations. Here's everything you need to know about OpenAI's Sora app. Currently, Sora is invite-only, which means only a select number of users can access it. At this stage, the app is exclusively available on iOS, so Android users will need to wait for a wider rollout. Additionally, downloads are limited to the US and Canada, restricting its initial reach. OpenAI is likely to expand availability gradually as the platform stabilises and more features are introduced. Sora is built on OpenAI's latest video model, Sora 2, which promises high-definition, photorealistic, and accurate video generation. OpenAI describes this as a "GPT-3.5 moment for video," indicating a major leap in AI content creation. Users can generate videos in multiple styles, including cinematic, animated, photorealistic, and even cartoon. Sora 2 also adds synchronised dialogue and sound effects, making AI videos more immersive and engaging. A standout feature of Sora is Cameos, which allows users to incorporate audio or images of themselves directly into AI-generated videos. To ensure safety and authenticity, OpenAI requires a one-time identity verification before creating or sharing any video using this feature. Cameos offer a highly personalised touch, letting users produce content that feels uniquely theirs while exploring creative storytelling. Sora also introduces a Remixing feature, akin to TikTok duets but enhanced with AI. Users can take videos created by others and add their own AI-generated twists using text prompts. This fosters a sense of collaboration and community while encouraging experimentation. Whether adding new audio, changing visual styles, or modifying dialogue, remixing lets users co-create content in entirely new ways. While Sora is a social platform, it comes with features aimed at promoting responsible use. Its default feed prioritises videos from friends and creators that users follow. To prevent doomscrolling, the app monitors user activity and nudges them towards creating content if scrolling becomes excessive. For users under 18, continuous scrolling is disabled by default. These features are designed to encourage creativity over passive consumption, making Sora a more mindful social experience. OpenAI's Sora represents a fresh approach to social video apps, merging AI innovation with interactive, user-driven content. By combining high-quality video generation, personalisation, collaborative tools, and mindful usage features, Sora sets itself apart from conventional short-video platforms. While access is currently limited, the app offers a glimpse into the future of social media, where AI can enhance creativity, engagement, and personal expression. For early users, Sora promises an exciting playground to explore imaginative video storytelling, all powered by the cutting-edge Sora 2 AI model. Inputs from agencies

OpenAI is preparing Sora 2 with TikTok style AI video platform: Report

OpenAI is developing a standalone app for its video generation model, Sora 2, according to documents reviewed by WIRED. The app features a vertical, swipe-to-scroll video feed similar to TikTok, though all content is produced by AI. A "For You"-style recommendation system drives the feed, while a side menu allows users to like, comment, or remix videos. OpenAI began internal testing last week, with employees reportedly responding positively. Some managers noted frequent use could affect productivity. The company appears to aim for a similar impact as ChatGPT, offering a new way for users to interact with AI-generated content. Sources also suggested that TikTok's U.S. operational uncertainty may have created an opportunity for OpenAI to launch a short-form video platform without ties to China. Sora first launched in December 2024 via a web interface and was later incorporated into the ChatGPT app. While the model was advanced at launch, it had difficulty generating longer clips and realistic action sequences. The AI-generated video market is increasingly competitive. Meta recently introduced Vibes, a short AI video feed in its Meta AI app, while Google is rolling out Veo 3 on YouTube. TikTok has adopted stricter rules around AI-generated content, banning videos that mislead on public issues or could cause harm. Sora 2 includes filters to prevent videos that could infringe copyright. OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits over alleged copyright violations, including a high-profile case from The New York Times. Child safety is also a focus: the company has added parental controls and is developing an age-prediction system to restrict users under 18 from certain interactions. Specific age restrictions for Sora 2 have not been disclosed. There is no official release date for Sora 2, but industry observers speculate it could arrive in late 2025. If GPT-5 is released in the coming months, Sora 2 might follow soon after, potentially positioning OpenAI to compete directly with Google's Veo 3.

Sora 2 Beats ChatGPT to Top App Store, Sparks Copyright Controversy

OpenAI's Sora 2 Becomes Viral Hit but Draws Fire Over Copyright Policy OpenAI's new short-video app Sora 2 has become an overnight sensation, even as it faces backlash over copyright policy. The platform lets users create short clips using simple text prompts. The instant popularity helped the model reach the top of Apple's App Store on October 3, just three days after its launch. Sora 2 is currently available by invitation only in the United States and Canada. Statistics from Appfigures indicate that the latest version of was installed 56,000 times on opening day (September 30). Two days later, the figure rose to 1.64 lakh installs. Its swift ascent comes in the wake of success for other AI apps. ChatGPT reached the top earlier this year during the 'Ghibli image' trend, and Google's Gemini was crowned following its 'Nano Banana' feature's viral popularity.

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers.

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop' - The Economic Times

The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook.If the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market. The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem. "These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking." The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with. Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world." What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy." OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday. "Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers.

OpenAI Sora 2: Next-Gen AI Video App Redefines Creativity

OpenAI Launches Sora 2: The AI Video App That Lets You Create, Remix, and Star in Your Own Scenes OpenAI has announced the launch of Sora 2, a next-generation text-to-video AI model. The company claims that it is capable of performing 'exceptionally challenging, or even impossible,' feats that earlier video generation models could not achieve. Sora 2 introduces previously unseen realism to AI-generated video, which accurately replicates physical laws, according to the company. For instance, whereas older models would teleport a basketball into the hoop after a shot had missed, Sora 2 causes the ball to bounce naturally off the backboard. In addition to physical realism, the model is superior in controllability. states it can execute complicated multi-shot instructions with consistency in the world it creates. The AI is capable of producing videos in realistic and anime appearances. It can also generate background soundscapes, dialogues, and sound effects synchronized with action. Sora 2 can uniquely put humans or other real objects into scenes it generates, enabling possibilities for highly personalized content.

OpenAI takes on TikTok, YouTube Shorts with Sora 2 video app; copyright a potential issue - The Economic Times

Sam Altman's OpenAI on Tuesday launched an advanced video generation AI model, Sora 2, along with a social media app named Sora, that directly competes with Instagram's Reels, YouTube Shorts and TikTok. CEO and cofounder Altman called it the "ChatGPT for creativity" moment. "It feels fun and new. There is something great about making it really easy and fast to go from idea to result, and the new social dynamics that emerge," he said in a long post on X. Let's see what the fuss is all about: What can Sora 2 do? According to the company, Sora 2 is a major technological leap from its first video generation model, Sora. What is Sora? "We think a social app built around this 'cameos' feature is the best way to experience the magic of Sora 2," the company said. So, it has launched a video app, Sora. The app is currently available by invitation only, in the United States and Canada. The Sora 2 video generator will initially be free with "generous limits", though usage will be constrained by the shortage of computing power needed for video generation. On the app, users can share their creations in a vertical feed similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels. OpenAI, however, claims to have prioritised content from users' networks over endless scrolling. "It is easy to imagine the degenerate case of AI video generation that ends up with us all being sucked into an RL-optimized slop feed. The team has put great care and thought into trying to figure out how to make a delightful product that doesn't fall into that trap," Altman explained. Copyright back in question OpenAI has stated that Sora 2 and the app will use copyrighted content unless rights holders explicitly opt out. This has invited murmurs across the ecosystem, with Disney already opting out of having its content appear on the app. The copyright policy may not sit well with Hollywood. The ChatGPT-maker has been in talks with a variety of copyright holders in recent weeks to discuss the policy. AI tools in social media OpenAI faces competition on multiple fronts with this launch. For one, from established companies that have recently launched similar software and related tools. Google recently integrated its Veo 3 AI video generator into YouTube Shorts, and Meta launched "Vibes", an AI-generated video feed, just last week. TikTok already offers AI-powered features that turn images into videos with text prompts. Also Read: OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

OpenAI launches new AI video app spun from copyrighted content

(Reuters) -OpenAI is releasing an AI video-generating app called Sora that lets people create and share AI videos that can be spun from copyrighted content and shared to social media-like streams. Copyright owners, such as television and movie studios, must opt out of having their work appear in the video feed, company officials said, describing it as a continuation of its prior policy toward image generation. The copyright policy is likely to ruffle feathers throughout Hollywood. The ChatGPT-maker has been in talks with a variety of copyright holders in recent weeks to discuss the policy, company officials said. At least one major studio, Disney, has already opted out of having their material appear in the app, people familiar with the matter said. Earlier this year, OpenAI pressed the Trump administration to declare that training AI models on copyrighted material fell under the "fair use" provision in copyright law. "Applying the fair use doctrine to AI is not only a matter of American competitiveness -- it's a matter of national security," OpenAI argued in March. Without this step, it said at the time, U.S. AI companies would lose their edge over rivals in China. OpenAI officials said it put measures in place to block people from creating videos of public figures or other users of the app without permission. Public figures and others' likeness cannot be used until they upload their own AI-generated video and give their permission. One such step is a "liveness check" where the app prompts a user to move their head in different directions and recite a random string of numbers. Users will be able to see drafts of videos that involve their likeness. Videos in the Sora app can be up to 10 seconds long. OpenAI built a feature it calls Cameo that will let users create realistic-looking AI versions of themselves and insert themselves into AI-generated scenes. "Our companies are in the business of competing for time and modifying consumer behavior," Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak said in a research note, adding he saw Sora app as a direct competitor to longstanding social media and digital content platforms from Meta, Google, TikTok and others. (Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

OpenAI launches Sora 2, an AI video app to rival TikTok and YouTube Shorts

OpenAI has made a new social-media app that works with its AI video generator and lets people create high-definition video clips with audio from text prompts. People using the app can upload short videos of themselves. They can put these videos into Sora-made worlds by telling the app what idea, style, and scene they want. The app is social, so people can watch other videos, write comments, and share them. The new version is called Sora 2. It lets you swipe and scroll like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, said WSJ. OpenAI plans to release the app first in the United States and Canada through Apple's App Store, and in the beginning it will be invite-only. Google is also moving fast in this area and has connected its Veo 3 AI video generator to YouTube, allowing people to use AI video in short YouTube clips. TikTok already offers its AI Alive feature, where users can turn pictures into videos with prompts, and it also allows uploading AI-generated content. Meta has also entered the field by rolling out a new feed of short AI-created videos in its AI app just last week. Sora 2 will include a vertical feed and will use algorithms to suggest videos that it thinks users are more likely to enjoy and connect with, as per the report by WSJ. The first version of Sora came out in December and it allowed people to create high-definition video clips just from text prompts. Many technology and social media companies believe adding new AI features like this will increase user engagement and make their apps more popular. OpenAI said it wants to prevent endless scrolling. People under 18 will not get an infinite scroll by default, and adults will be nudged to create videos if the system notices they are only watching for too long. The company also said all content that leaves the platform will be clearly marked as AI-generated so that its origin is known, as stated by WSJ. The Wall Street Journal reported that the new Sora can make videos that include copyright material unless copyright holders specifically opt out of allowing their works to appear. Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, said, "I think they are certainly opening themselves up to lawsuits in particular cases," warning about copyright issues. Lemley's warning came after pointing out Anthropic's case, where the AI company had to pay at least $1.5 billion to settle a copyright infringement lawsuit because it used pirated books to train its language models. The Wall Street Journal's parent company, News Corp, has a content deal with OpenAI. Q1. What is OpenAI Sora 2 app? OpenAI Sora 2 is a new social-media app that lets users create and share high-quality AI videos from text prompts, similar to TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Q2. Does OpenAI Sora 2 have copyright risks? Yes, Sora 2 can generate videos with copyrighted material unless rights holders opt out, which experts say could lead to lawsuits.

OpenAI launches new AI video app spun from copyrighted content - The Economic Times

Copyright owners, such as television and movie studios, must opt out of having their work appear in the video feed, company officials said, describing it as a continuation of its prior policy toward image generation.OpenAI is releasing an AI video-generating app called Sora that lets people create and share AI videos that can be spun from copyrighted content and shared to social media-like streams. Copyright owners, such as television and movie studios, must opt out of having their work appear in the video feed, company officials said, describing it as a continuation of its prior policy toward image generation. The copyright policy is likely to ruffle feathers throughout Hollywood. The ChatGPT-maker has been in talks with a variety of copyright holders in recent weeks to discuss the policy, company officials said. At least one major studio, Disney, has already opted out of having their material appear in the app, people familiar with the matter said. Earlier this year, OpenAI pressed the Trump administration to declare that training AI models on copyrighted material fell under the "fair use" provision in copyright law. "Applying the fair use doctrine to AI is not only a matter of American competitiveness - it's a matter of national security," OpenAI argued in March. Without this step, it said at the time, U.S. AI companies would lose their edge over rivals in China. OpenAI officials said it put measures in place to block people from creating videos of public figures or other users of the app without permission. Public figures and others' likeness cannot be used until they upload their own AI-generated video and give their permission. One such step is a "liveness check" where the app prompts a user to move their head in different directions and recite a random string of numbers. Users will be able to see drafts of videos that involve their likeness. Videos in the Sora app can be up to 10 seconds long. OpenAI built a feature it calls Cameo that will let users create realistic-looking AI versions of themselves and insert themselves into AI-generated scenes. "Our companies are in the business of competing for time and modifying consumer behavior," Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak said in a research note, adding he saw Sora app as a direct competitor to longstanding social media and digital content platforms from Meta, Google, TikTok and others.

OpenAI's Sora app is already flooded with disturbing Sam Altman deepfakes

Even on X, users are sharing AI-generated videos of Altman made using the new app. OpenAI recently launched a new social media app called Sora, which works like a TikTok for AI-generated videos. In less than 24 hours of its invite-only launch, the app is already filled with unsettling content, especially deepfakes of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Videos on Sora show Altman in strange and often disturbing scenarios. In one, he appears in a factory of pink pigs, asking, "Are my piggies enjoying their slop?" In another, he's in a field of Pokemon, where he turns to the camera and says, "I hope Nintendo doesn't sue us." Other videos depict Altman serving Pikachu and Cartman at Starbucks, yelling at McDonald's customers, and stealing GPUs from a store, reports TechCrunch. Even on X, users are sharing AI-generated videos of Altman made using the new app. Sora has a feature called cameo, which lets users create AI versions of themselves by uploading biometric data. Users can then generate videos featuring their cameo, and control who can use it. Altman has made his cameo public, which explains why the feed is overflowing with videos of him interacting with Pokemon, SpongeBob, and other characters. Also read: OpenAI launches Sora 2, its most advanced video generation model yet alongside TikTok-like social app This seems like a deliberate move by Altman, perhaps intended to show that he doesn't view his product as dangerous. Yet users are already using his cameo to challenge the ethics of the app itself. Also read: Nothing unveils Essential AI platform that lets you create personalised apps: Check details While Sora is impressive in how realistically it portrays physics and environments, this realism also makes the deepfakes more believable, raising risks for misuse. Even though OpenAI emphasises safety, the app's early content shows how easily AI-generated deepfakes can spiral out of control. Also read: Apple iPad Pro with M5 chip leaks in unboxing video: Here's what to expect

OpenAI plans to launch a social app for AI videos: Here's how it may work

Users will likely be able to make short videos up to 10 seconds long using the app. OpenAI is reportedly preparing to release a new standalone app for its video generation AI model Sora 2. The app is expected to look similar to TikTok, with a vertical video feed that you can scroll through, but all the content is made entirely by AI, reports Wired. Users can make short videos up to 10 seconds long using the app, and a recommendation algorithm powers a "For You" page to help people discover new clips. On the right side of the feed, there will likely be a menu bar where users can like, comment, or remix videos. One of the app's key features is expected to be identity verification. According to the report, users can confirm their likeness, which will allow them to appear in AI-generated videos. Other people can also tag them or use their likeness in videos. For example, a user might generate a video of themselves riding a roller coaster with a friend. The app will notify users whenever their likeness is used, even if the video is never posted publicly. Also read: Google Pixel 8a price drops to under Rs 28,000 during Flipkart Big Billion Days sale There might be no option to upload photos or videos from your camera roll or other apps. This would ensure that all videos are fully AI-generated. The app was launched internally last week, and employees have given it positive feedback. The app comes as other tech companies are also entering the AI video space. Meta recently launched "Vibes," a feed in its Meta AI app for short AI-generated videos, and Google is integrating its video model Veo 3 into YouTube. Also read: OnePlus 13s price drops to under Rs 47,800 during Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025 Meanwhile, OpenAI is facing legal and safety challenges. The company is defending itself against a copyright lawsuit from The New York Times, which claims the AI was trained on its copyrighted material. To address child safety concerns, OpenAI recently introduced parental controls in ChatGPT, including linked accounts for teens and parents and an age-prediction tool. It is still unclear what age restrictions the Sora 2 app will have.