OpenAI’s Sora Hits One Million Downloads in Five Days Despite Being Invite-Only in US and Canada

OpenAI’s Sora App Surpasses One Million Downloads As AI Video Goes Viral

OpenAI’s latest venture into social media, Sora, is capturing attention at unprecedented speed.

The short-form video app, which allows users to create and browse AI-generated clips, has crossed one million downloads in under five days, despite being invite-only and limited to the United States and Canada.

Bill Peebles, head of the Sora team, highlighted the rapid growth on X, saying the app’s adoption “has been faster than ChatGPT’s early rollout,” and added that the team is “working hard to keep up with surging growth,” with updates and fixes on the way.

AI-Only Video Platform Offers Unique Creative Tools

Launched on iOS on 30 September, Sora allows users to generate videos using OpenAI’s Sora 2 model, with clips restricted to 10 seconds.

The app features a vertical, swipe-to-scroll feed similar to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Users cannot upload content from their own devices but can generate videos through text prompts or insert their own or friends’ likenesses via a tool called “cameos.”

The app has quickly attracted a mix of animated memes, reimagined film scenes, and playful reinterpretations of familiar characters.

Copyright Controversy Emerges As Popularity Surges

Sora’s rapid rise has already triggered copyright concerns.

Users have uploaded videos featuring protected characters from franchises such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Rick and Morty, and South Park, often placing them in new or controversial contexts.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) responded, stating that infringing videos “have proliferated on OpenAI’s service” and urged immediate action to remove them.

In response, OpenAI introduced tools giving copyright holders more control over character appearances and settings for users to manage how their own likenesses are used.

Moderation Challenges Highlight Growing Pains

Despite these measures, moderation remains a work in progress.

Some users report overblocking, where harmless content is flagged or removed.

Peebles acknowledged the issue, stating the team is addressing it in upcoming updates.

The tension between creativity and content control highlights the complex challenges of moderating AI-generated media at scale.

OpenAI Positions Sora Against Major Social Platforms

OpenAI’s internal launch last week received positive feedback, with employees reportedly using the app heavily, prompting jokes about productivity.

Sora is seen as part of a growing trend of AI-powered short-form video feeds, competing with Meta’s new “Vibes” AI feed and Google’s Veo 3 model integrated into YouTube.

OpenAI aims to provide an alternative to traditional social platforms like TikTok, which faces uncertainty in the US market, by offering a space entirely dedicated to AI-generated content.

Could Sora Keep Up With Social Media Giants?

Coinlive sees Sora as a bold experiment in AI-driven social media, but the road ahead is complex.

While the app benefits from viral trends and curiosity, it must navigate copyright restrictions, moderation challenges, and competition from established platforms replicating Reels and Shorts.

Its AI-only content model is a double-edged sword — captivating for some, limiting for others.

Sora’s early success shows potential, yet survival will depend on its ability to balance creativity, user control, and market demand in an increasingly crowded space.