OpenAI's new AI video app, Sora, has set a remarkable pace, reaching over one million downloads in less than five days—a feat that surpassed even the initial success of ChatGPT. Despite being limited to invite-only access and a US and Canada rollout, the app has quickly soared to the top of app store charts and sparked intense discussion regarding its implications.
Key Takeaways
Sora surpassed one million downloads in fewer than five days, outpacing ChatGPT’s launch record.
The app is currently invite-only and exclusive to iOS users in North America.
Sora’s ability to generate realistic short videos from simple text prompts has contributed to its viral rise.
The app’s viral popularity has triggered fresh debates about copyright, deepfake ethics, and the depiction of deceased public figures.
Sora’s Rapid Growth and Unique Features
Sora enables users to generate ten-second, highly realistic videos from basic text prompts. The app’s design mimics popular short-form video platforms, exhibiting an endless vertical feed of AI-created clips. Notably, the “Cameos” feature allows users to insert their own or friends’ likenesses with consent, adding a deeply personal dimension to video generation.
Despite only being available via invitation to users in the US and Canada, Sora surged to the top of Apple’s App Store. OpenAI’s Bill Peebles credited the "surging growth" to the excitement around text-to-video AI and affirmed the team is working rapidly to address scaling and user feedback.
Copyright And Ethical Concerns
The rapid proliferation of Sora videos on social media has sparked significant concern in creative and entertainment industries. Many Sora-generated videos utilise copyrighted characters or depict well-known deceased personalities, such as musicians or actors, in novel settings. High-profile instances—including appeals from families of celebrities like Robin Williams—have reignited the debate over the ethical boundaries of AI creativity.
Entertainment bodies have already called on OpenAI to enforce stricter controls, warning about the implications for copyright holders and creators. In response, OpenAI has pledged to provide more granular tools for rights holders to manage how their characters or likenesses appear in AI-generated content. Future updates are slated to introduce further moderation improvements and possibly revenue-sharing for rights holders.
Industry Impact And Future Outlook
Sora’s meteoric rise underscores the accelerating adoption of AI-driven creative tools, placing it ahead of previous app launches, even when factoring in its more restrictive rollout. Compared to other AI-driven apps, Sora's adoption curve is notably steeper, highlighting strong user interest in generative video technology.
Looking ahead, the challenges for OpenAI will extend beyond technical scalability. Balancing copyright issues, user safety, and effective moderation will be crucial in ensuring that Sora’s growth translates into both creative opportunity and legal sustainability. With the broader industry watching closely, Sora’s first week may only be a prologue to ongoing debates about the future of AI in creative expression.