The Sora social media app, launched by the creators of ChatGPT, aims to capture the attention of users currently engrossed in short-form videos on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook. The new iPhone application allows users to create diverse videos of themselves in various styles, from anime to hyper-realistic, catering to the trend of personalized video content.
While the surge of AI-generated videos on social media platforms has captivated audiences, concerns have arisen about the influx of inauthentic content overshadowing genuine human creativity and impacting the integrity of information shared online. The advancement of AI technology has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake videos, with instances like the viral video of the CN Tower on fire causing confusion among viewers on Facebook.
OpenAI’s Sora app features a launch video showcasing an AI-generated representation of the company’s CEO in surreal settings like a psychedelic forest and a stadium filled with cheering fans witnessing rubber duck races. The app, currently exclusive to Apple devices in the U.S. and Canada, offers a personalized video feed, similar to Meta’s recent introduction of AI-generated videos within its Meta AI app.
Experts, such as Jose Marichal from California Lutheran University, highlight the proliferation of AI-generated videos on social media feeds, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a trustworthy information environment for making informed decisions in society. OpenAI acknowledges these concerns and pledges to prioritize user well-being by allowing customization of feeds and promoting content from known sources.
Notably, Sora permits users to incorporate copyrighted material in their videos, a move that has sparked discussions with copyright holders, including major studios like Disney. OpenAI’s efforts to safeguard against misuse include restrictions on creating videos featuring public figures without consent, implementing checks like verifying user identity and obtaining approval before using someone’s likeness.
