OpenAI is developing a standalone social platform powered by the Sora 2 video generation model. The app mimics TikTok-style vertical video scrolling but features only videos created by artificial intelligence instead of user-uploaded recordings. Users will not be able to add their own photos or videos from their device gallery. The app is launching as an invite-only version in the US and Canada, with plans for broader availability. OpenAI employees are testing it internally.
Key video features and limitations
Video clips in the app are limited to 10 seconds and are created based on text prompts. Sora 2 adds native audio, including synchronized speech and effects, improving the realism of movement and continuity between shots. The app offers a "For You" page with algorithm-based recommendations and buttons for liking, commenting on, and remixing videos. Remixing allows users to edit existing clips and create new variations. The app is free with limits, while the higher-quality Sora 2 Pro version is available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers. OpenAI is also planning an API for developers so they can integrate these features into other services.
Protection and notifications
The app includes an identity verification system through which users confirm their likeness. Once verified, they can use their appearance in videos, and friends can tag them in remixes, for example in scenes such as riding a roller coaster. Everyone receives a notification if their likeness appears in any video, whether it is the final version or merely a draft. This mechanism protects against unauthorized use and includes liveness checks, C2PA metadata, and visible watermarks to reduce the risk of misuse.
Competition
The new app comes just days after Meta launched Vibes, a fully AI-generated video feed in the Meta AI app. OpenAI is thus entering a space where it competes with offerings from Meta and Google, which recently integrated its Veo 3 model into YouTube. TikTok, by contrast, restricts AI content that could be misleading or harmful. OpenAI sees an opportunity in the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's US operations, which could help it build a community focused on generative video. Sora 2 needs improvements to catch up with its rivals, but its focus on short, remixable clips could attract users looking for a new way to create content.
Source: wired.com
