OpenAI’s social AI video app Sora has topped 1 million downloads in fewer than five days, a pace the company says outstrips ChatGPT’s growth at launch. Sora head Bill Peebles shared the figure on Wednesday, noting the iOS app is invite-only yet expanding quickly. Released on September 30, Sora blends a scrollable feed of AI-generated clips with creation tools powered by the Sora 2 model.
Users can generate short videos and, via a Cameos feature, insert their own likeness or a friend’s into the scene. Early activity has leaned heavily into internet culture: memes, OpenAI employees deepfaking themselves, and what some observers describe as AI-generated “slop.”
Rapid adoption has also triggered moderation and copyright headaches. After users began producing copyrighted characters in brand-unfriendly contexts, OpenAI moved to give rights holders more control over how their intellectual property appears in Sora. The company has also added settings that let people specify how their likeness is used. Peebles said the team is “working hard to keep up with surging growth,” promising more features and fixes to over-moderation.
For now, Sora is available only in the United States and Canada and sits at the top of Apple’s App Store rankings. The trajectory suggests strong consumer interest in social, AI-generated video experiences, even as the platform navigates questions about safety, permissions, and responsible use. OpenAI has framed Sora as both a creation tool and a showcase for its latest video model, positioning the app as a gateway for mainstream users to try generative video without specialized software.
Comparisons to ChatGPT’s early days highlight the scale of demand and the operational challenges that follow: scaling infrastructure, managing abuse, and clarifying rules for content, identity, and IP. As Sora’s rollout continues, the balance between rapid growth and careful governance will likely determine how durable this early momentum proves to be.
The Editorial Staff at AIChief is a team of professional content writers with extensive experience in AI and marketing. Founded in 2025, AIChief has quickly grown into the largest free AI resource hub in the industry.