NextFin news, OpenAI's text-to-video artificial intelligence app, Sora, achieved a milestone of more than one million downloads in under five days following its launch on September 30, 2025, in the United States and Canada. This rapid adoption rate surpasses that of OpenAI's earlier product, ChatGPT, marking a significant moment in AI-driven video generation technology.
The app, which is currently available exclusively on iOS and by invitation only, allows users to create realistic ten-second videos from simple text prompts. According to Bill Peebles, Sora's general manager, the app's growth was fueled despite its limited availability, with approximately 627,000 iOS downloads recorded in the first week, exceeding ChatGPT's 606,000 downloads during its initial week.
Sora quickly rose to the top of the Apple App Store charts in the U.S., reaching number one by October 3, 2025. Daily downloads peaked at over 107,000 on October 1, with consistent high download numbers throughout the first week. Canada accounted for roughly 45,000 of these installs, indicating strong U.S. user engagement.
The app's popularity is attributed to its advanced 'text-to-video' AI model, which enhances realism, audio synchronization, and creative control. A notable feature called "Cameo" enables users to register multiple faces and voices, allowing them to appear as characters in generated videos. This feature has contributed to widespread sharing of AI-generated clips on social media platforms.
However, Sora's rapid rise has also sparked controversy. The app has been used to create deepfake videos featuring deceased celebrities and public figures, raising ethical and legal concerns. Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, publicly requested that people stop sending AI-generated videos of her father. Additionally, industry groups such as the Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency have criticized the app for infringing on intellectual property rights and exploiting creative works without permission.
OpenAI has responded by implementing stricter content policies. The app now restricts the generation of images of celebrities and public figures unless authorized, and it blocks content involving recently deceased individuals upon request from authorized representatives. OpenAI also announced plans to enhance safety measures, censor problematic prompts, and explore revenue-sharing models with rights holders.
Despite these challenges, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described Sora as a milestone in AI video creation, emphasizing its role in opening new avenues for digital expression. The company continues to monitor user feedback and legal developments as it expands the app's capabilities and availability.
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