OpenAI continues to expand its universe beyond ChatGPT. This Tuesday, the company unveiled Sora 2, a new audio-video generation model that succeeds the original version launched last year.
However, the real surprise comes from Sora social application, a platform designed for sharing creations in an algorithmic feed similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels.
Sora 2 represents a significant advancement in realism, adherence, and world simulation.
More realistic videos that adhere to the laws of physics
OpenAI promises videos more believable than ever:
- A missed basketball shot will bounce off the backboard instead of magically “teleporting” into the basket.
- Public examples include beach volleyball, skateboarding tricks, and diving into a pool.
The idea is to correct the flaws of earlier “overly optimistic” models that distorted reality to fit the prompt.
The new feature: Cameos
The Sora app introduces an innovative concept: cameos.
- Users can upload a short video of themselves to verify their identity and capture their appearance.
- They can then integrate into any generated scene.
- It’s also possible to share one’s appearance with friends, who can include multiple people in the same video.
OpenAI believes that this “cameo” mechanism is the best way to experience the magic of Sora 2.
An AI social network… but by invitation only
- The Sora iOS app is available today in the United States and Canada.
- International rollout will follow shortly.
- For now, the platform is invite-only, but ChatGPT Pro subscribers will have access to the Sora 2 Pro model.
- The service is free at launch, with monetization planned only through paid credits in case of high demand.
Safety and moderation at the project’s core
OpenAI will need to navigate some sensitive challenges:
- Users can revoke access to their image at any time, but the risk of misuse remains (deepfakes, misleading content, etc.).
- App recommendations will be based on Sora activity, location, past interactions, and ChatGPT history (which can be disabled).
- Integrated parental controls via ChatGPT can limit infinite scrolling, disable algorithmic personalization, and oversee private messages.
A gamble against TikTok, Meta, and Google
The launch of Sora comes as competition takes shape:
- Meta has announced “Vibes,” its own AI video feed.
- Google is developing Veo 3 for YouTube.
By entering the social platform arena, OpenAI is making a strategic shift: transforming its models into viral social experiences.
