OpenAI’s much-anticipated text-to-video AI model, Sora, first announced in February, has remained under wraps with no confirmed release date.
However, controversy erupted this week when a group of beta testers allegedly leaked access to the model, claiming OpenAI was exploiting artists for “unpaid R&D and PR.”
The group, reportedly involved in Sora’s early testing, published a post on Hugging Face—a platform for sharing AI models—sharing details of the leak. Before OpenAI intervened to shut down access, users were allegedly able to generate AI videos that closely resembled the company’s demos. The testers accused OpenAI of using them as free labor to promote the tool under the guise of collaboration.
A Protest Against “Art Washing”
In an open letter, the beta testers expressed frustration with their role in the program:
DEAR CORPORATE AI OVERLORDS
We received access to Sora with the promise to be early testers, red teamers, and creative partners. However, we believe instead we are being lured into “art washing” to tell the world that Sora is a useful tool for artists.
They further criticized the program, stating:
“We are not against the use of AI technology as a tool for the arts. What we don’t agree with is how this artist program has been rolled out and how the tool is shaping up ahead of a possible public release. We are sharing this to the world in the hopes that OpenAI becomes more open, more artist-friendly, and supports the arts beyond PR stunts.”
The group accused OpenAI of leveraging artists to validate Sora without compensation, even as the company commands a valuation of $150 billion. They also criticized content approval restrictions, which reportedly require OpenAI’s sign-off before any Sora-generated outputs can be shared publicly.
Leaked OpenAI SORA is f*cking good 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jnKcWOOrfr
— Haider. (@slow_developer) November 26, 2024
OpenAI’s Response
When contacted, OpenAI neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the leak but emphasized that participation in the Sora program is voluntary.
“Sora is still in research preview, and we’re working to balance creativity with robust safety measures for broader use,” said OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix. “Hundreds of artists in our alpha have shaped Sora’s development, helping prioritize new features and safeguards. Participation is voluntary, with no obligation to provide feedback or use the tool. We’ve been excited to offer these artists free access and will continue supporting them through grants, events, and other programs.”
A Delayed Launch
Sora’s release timeline remains uncertain. Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati had previously suggested the model would launch by the end of the year, contingent on addressing safety and ethical concerns, including potential misuse during global events. Additionally, OpenAI CPO Kevin Weil recently stated in a Reddit AMA that the delay stems from the need to scale the necessary compute infrastructure and refine safety protocols.
As the debate continues, the leak and the artists’ protest shine a spotlight on the growing tension between AI developers and the creative community—a rift that could shape the future of AI-powered art tools.
