A group has allegedly leaked early access to OpenAI’s Sora video generator, claiming the company exploits artists and misrepresents the tool’s development. On Tuesday, the group shared a project on Hugging Face tied to Sora’s API, allowing users to create short, 10-second videos by entering text descriptions. Though access was swiftly revoked, some users shared watermarked samples online.
The group, calling itself “Sora PR Puppets,” alleges OpenAI pressures testers to promote Sora positively without fair compensation. They criticize the early access program as prioritizing publicity over genuine collaboration, citing unpaid contributions from hundreds of artists. The group also claims OpenAI heavily controls Sora outputs, limiting transparency about its capabilities.
OpenAI maintains that Sora is in a “research preview,” emphasizing voluntary participation and support for artists through grants and events. However, critics argue the company’s process stifles creativity and prioritizes PR.
Sora’s development has faced delays due to technical challenges, including inconsistent outputs and lengthy processing times. Meanwhile, competitors like Runway and Stability AI have made significant strides, forging high-profile partnerships and advancing video generation technology.
