OpenAI has introduced a standalone social application, Sora, designed to enable users to create and share AI-generated videos with friends.
The new product is the company’s biggest push into social networking and aims to accelerate the adoption of AI video technology in the same way ChatGPT popularised chatbots.
The free app, available initially on Apple’s iOS by invitation, is powered by Sora 2, an upgraded version of the video-generation software first released in December 2024.
Users can create short clips based on text prompts and view videos produced by others. A notable feature of the app is the ability to generate realistic AI avatars and voices, which users can insert into their own or their friends’ videos with permission.
Competition and Market Position
Despite ChatGPT’s success, with more than 700 million weekly users, OpenAI has struggled to make Sora a household name.
The new app positions the company to compete directly with Google, Runway AI, Midjourney, and social media giants such as TikTok and Meta, which recently launched an AI video feed called Vibes. By creating a social platform, OpenAI opens the door to potential advertising revenue streams and wider visibility for its technology.
Improved Capabilities
Sora 2 introduces enhancements aimed at addressing long-standing weaknesses in AI video generation. The software is designed to follow natural physics more accurately, such as fluid dynamics and buoyancy, and can generate complex, multi-shot sequences that follow user prompts consistently.
It also integrates AI-generated audio, including sound effects, dialogue in multiple languages, and background noise.
Bill Peebles, who leads OpenAI’s Sora team, said the update could represent a “ChatGPT moment for video generation,” highlighting improvements in realism and reliability.
Safety and Restrictions
To address concerns about authenticity and misuse, OpenAI stated that all Sora videos will carry watermarks.
The company will also restrict the use of public figures in generated content unless they opt in for cameo features. Screen recording within the app has been disabled to give OpenAI greater control over how videos are shared externally.
Industry Implications
The launch underscores OpenAI’s growing interest in entertainment and social applications. Features such as avatar cameos and synchronised audio may make Sora attractive to Hollywood studios, content creators, and advertisers.
However, industry observers note that such tools could disrupt traditional filmmaking jobs and complicate efforts to distinguish authentic content online.
The app will expand to Android at a later date, while the Sora 2 software will also remain available through sora.com.