OpenAI's Sora hit 1 million downloads in less than five days

OpenAI's innovative short-form video application, Sora, achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 1 million downloads in under five days following its late September launch. Bill Peebles, the head of Sora, announced this achievement in a post on X, highlighting that this rapid uptake surpassed even that of ChatGPT, the company's well-known AI chatbot that boasts 800 million weekly active users. Available exclusively on iOS devices, Sora enables users to create short videos by simply entering prompts. However, access to the app is invite-based, requiring users to obtain a code to join. Despite these limitations, Sora has quickly ascended to the top position in Apple's App Store. While the app's popularity is undeniable, it has also drawn significant criticism regarding potential copyright infringements. CNBC reported that users have been able to generate content featuring characters from popular shows like "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Rick and Morty," and "South Park." The Motion Picture Association (MPA), representing the interests of the film and television industries, has voiced concerns, stating that videos infringing on their members' intellectual property have become prevalent on OpenAI's platform. MPA CEO Charles Rivkin emphasized the urgency for OpenAI to address these copyright issues, citing the importance of protecting creators' rights. In response to these challenges, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced plans to provide rights holders with more control over character generation in an upcoming update. During a recent briefing at the company's DevDay event, Altman acknowledged that some users found Sora's restrictions excessive and asked for patience as they refine their approach. "Please give us some grace," he urged, noting that the pace of innovation will be significant as the company navigates these complexities.