OpenAI has reported that its text-to-video AI tool, Sora, achieved over one million downloads within five days, surpassing the initial download rate of ChatGPT. The application, which allows users to create ten-second realistic videos from text prompts, has become popular, particularly in the US Apple App Store. Bill Peebles, head of Sora, noted that this growth occurred despite the app being accessible only to invitees in North America.
However, Sora has faced scrutiny for its portrayal of copyrighted material and its depiction of deceased public figures. The app’s ease of sharing videos has led to a surge in content featuring images of late celebrities, such as Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Recently, Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, publicly requested that people refrain from sending her AI-generated videos of her father. This plea has been associated with the rising popularity of Sora.
In response to concerns, an OpenAI representative stated that there are significant free speech interests involved in depicting historical figures. Nonetheless, the spokesperson mentioned that authorized individuals could request the exclusion of likenesses of recently deceased public figures, although no clear criteria were provided for what constitutes “recent.”
Sora videos often feature characters from various media, leading to notable examples including a deepfake of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman interacting with Pokémon characters. Although no legal actions have been disclosed from Nintendo regarding these depictions, several generative AI companies are currently engaged in legal battles concerning the use of creative works.
OpenAI is reportedly adjusting its approach to address these concerns. In early October, Altman indicated that the company is learning from user feedback and is considering offering more control to rights holders over character generation. Plans for potential revenue-sharing models are also being discussed, although the future of Sora’s legal standing remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkjgrvg6z4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss