OpenAI’s Sora Reaches 1 Million Downloads in Under 5 Days

OpenAI’s foray into short-form AI video generation with its Sora app has made a splash, achieving a milestone of 1 million downloads in under five days post-launch in late September, according to company leadership.

Bill Peebles, who heads up Sora at OpenAI, announced the rapid adoption rate on X, noting that Sora outpaced even the viral sensation ChatGPT in terms of initial download velocity. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s widely used AI chatbot, boasts a substantial 800 million weekly active users, providing context to Sora’s impressive early traction.

Sora allows users to create short video clips by inputting text prompts. While currently exclusive to iOS devices and operating on an invite-only basis, its inherent novelty and ease of use propelled it to the top spot in Apple’s App Store rankings shortly after its release.

“The team is working diligently to manage the overwhelming growth,” Peebles stated, hinting at the infrastructural challenges of scaling to meet unexpectedly high demand.

However, Sora’s launch hasn’t been without its controversies. The app has come under scrutiny regarding potential copyright infringements. Reports have surfaced indicating the presence of videos featuring characters from established franchises like “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Rick and Morty,” and “South Park,” raising concerns about unauthorized use of intellectual property. Instances of independent character generation mimicking copyrighted material have further fueled these debates.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA), a leading advocate for the television, film, and home video industries, released a statement highlighting the issue. “Videos that infringe our members’ films, shows, and characters have proliferated on OpenAI’s service,” the MPA asserted, urging immediate action.

MPA CEO Charles Rivkin emphasized the importance of respecting creators’ rights, stating, “OpenAI needs to take immediate and decisive action to address this issue. Well-established copyright law safeguards the rights of creators and applies here.”

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged these concerns and indicated the company’s intention to implement more granular controls for rights holders regarding character generation. In a recent blog post, Altman addressed the company’s commitment to balancing creative freedom with copyright protection.

During a press briefing at OpenAI’s DevDay event, Altman revealed that some users have found Sora’s current safeguards overly restrictive. He appealed for patience as the company refines its approach to finding optimal solutions for content generation and copyright management. “Please give us some grace,” Altman requested, adding, “The rate of change will be high.” This suggests OpenAI is adopting an agile approach, continuously iterating on its policies and technologies in response to user feedback and evolving legal considerations.

Analysts suggest that OpenAI’s handling of these copyright concerns will be crucial to Sora’s long-term success. While the technology holds immense potential for creative expression and content creation, navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding copyright is paramount. The company’s partnerships with content creators and rights holders, as well as the development of robust content moderation tools, will be key factors in shaping Sora’s future trajectory.