Many were surprised when OpenAI introduced its text-to-video AI tool Sora earlier this year. Up to that point, generative artificial intelligence had impressively evolved in the field of imaging. However, in a short time, DALL·E progressed from creating modest designs like avocado-shaped armchairs to producing photorealistic material with strikingly realistic textures, colors, lights, and shadows.
Something similar was expected to happen in the video realm eventually, especially after OpenAI showcased a promising tool capable of generating astonishing videos. Later, then-CTO Mira Murati said Sora would be publicly available in 2024. As we approach the end of the year, Sora hasn’t been released yet. More worryingly, it’s now surrounded by controversy.
Artists Are Upset with OpenAI
OpenAI hasn’t been able to release its products as quickly as it had hoped. Altman mentioned on Reddit that the company is prioritizing its computational resources to upgrade existing models. CPO Kevin Weil added that the team still needs to refine the model and improve security. This requires more computational capacity, which is a scarce resource at the moment.
The delay in Sora’s launch has allowed users to explore interesting alternatives, like Runway’s Gen-3 Alpha. As a result, OpenAI, which appeared poised to lead in video generation, is starting to take a backseat. However, some individuals have had the opportunity to use Sora privately. These early access users include artists who have created projects like a Toys ‘R’ Us ad.
Not everyone is satisfied with OpenAI. A group of artists has protested against the AI startup and has released the tool to access the Sora program. They said in a statement, “We received access to Sora with the promise to be early testers, red teamers and creative partners. However, we believe instead we are being lured into ‘art washing’ to tell the world that Sora is a useful tool for artists.”
Artists also expressed concern about providing unpaid labor “for a $150B valued company” and pointed out that all Sora-generated content must receive approval from OpenAI. They explained that their motivation for releasing access to the model was to encourage the company to be more open and supportive of artists, promoting art beyond just public relations efforts.
However, Sora was only accessible for about three hours on a public website before OpenAI suspended access to the tool for all users. It remains to be seen what will happen next with Sora. The AI company might either reinstate preliminary access or move forward with its official release. At the time of publication, the tool’s future is still uncertain.
Image | OpenAI
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