This game-changing platform, powered by AI, was recently developed and launched by OpenAI. It’s a demonstration of cutting-edge technology and products, but mostly it’s the user experience that makes it shine. The launch has already sparked incensed and colorful debate on how AI could improve or destroy mankind. Americans are intensely aware of the harms coming from social media platforms.
In a wide-ranging episode of the podcast, CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman addressed fears that Sora 2. Better still, he drew attention to the group’s deep commitment to ensuring that AI helps all of humanity. “We’re going to do our best to make sure AI helps and does not hurt humanity,” he stated. Altman’s comments serve as a reminder of the fine line between innovation and moral obligation.
The launch of Sora 2 comes just one day after its predecessor, Sora, was introduced via a company blog post. Their overall goal is to inspire users with amazing new technology and products, which they hope is going to generate a sense of wonder and fun engagement. Despite these aspirations, Altman acknowledged the risks associated with AI-based feeds, including “doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and RL-optimized feeds.” These concerns are part of a larger worry about the unintended results of algorithms during the social media age.
Altman pointed out a critical lesson from past experiences with social media platforms, remarking, “One of the big mistakes of the social media era was that the feed algorithms had a bunch of unintended, negative consequences on society as a whole.” His admission serves as a stark reminder that we must learn from the past to prevent making the same mistakes.
John Hallman, member of the OpenAI team that developed Sora 2, was bullish about the development process that went into Sora 2. “I think the team did the absolute best job they possibly could in designing a positive experience,” he said. He confided in me that he was nervous about the release. “I won’t deny that I felt some concern when I first learned we were releasing Sora 2,” Hallman added.
His California counterpart, Attorney General Rob Bonta, has criticized the launch. He has promised that any negative impact on our kids from AI technologies is unacceptable. This declaration signals the increasing accountability on technology companies to protect vulnerable populations.
Rohan Pandey, an AI researcher formerly at OpenAI, is now among ex-OpenAI researchers that have left the company to co-found Periodic Labs. The new initiative will seek out promising applications of AI to spur innovation, while mitigating negative societal impacts. At the same time, Boaz Barak, another researcher closely tied to OpenAI and a Harvard professor, publicly congratulated Sora 2 while expressing his concerns. So I have part of their mix of worry and excitement too. Sora 2…technically, is freaking incredible! Don’t pop the champagne just yet, Barak warned. Overcoming the traps of other social media apps and deepfakes looms large as the next battle.
Even though it was just launched, Sora’s footprint is quite small and its long-term impact is yet to be seen. Altman admitted that Sora 2 is a bit of a wildcard. While technically impressive, he pointed out that we’re all going to need some time to assess its impact on users—and society at large.
“We do mostly need the capital for build AI that can do science, and for sure we are focused on AGI with almost all of our research effort,” Altman commented, indicating that commercial ventures may play a role in supporting OpenAI’s broader mission.
The release of Sora 2 is a watershed moment for OpenAI. It goes beyond the risks and focuses on the benefits that AI offers. Regulators and public interest advocates continue to keep a watchful eye on the company. In turn, the company is committed to pursuing technology that empowers individuals rather than disenfranchising them.
