OpenAI has launched Sora Turbo, the latest version of its AI-powered video generator, to paying ChatGPT users. The tool, capable of producing photorealistic 20-second videos, marks a significant step in artificial intelligence’s rapid development. However, its release has sparked concerns about the potential spread of deepfake videos.
Sora Turbo will not be available in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the UK at this time. This delay is likely due to strict regulations, a hurdle OpenAI has faced with other products before eventually entering the European market. “We’re going to try our hardest to be able to launch there,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Monday.
To address misuse risks, OpenAI has introduced safeguards, including visible watermarks and metadata for video verification. Initially, uploading images of people will be limited as the company refines its tools to mitigate deepfakes and other abuses. OpenAI has also emphasised blocking harmful content such as child sexual abuse materials and sexual deepfakes.
Sora Turbo’s moderation will begin conservatively. Altman acknowledged potential missteps in the system but encouraged user feedback to improve it. Despite these efforts, OpenAI admits the tool still has limitations, such as struggles with complex actions and long-duration scenes.
OpenAI is not alone in the race to develop AI video technology. Meta is working on Movie Gen, and Google has its Veo generator, though neither is publicly accessible. The competition highlights the growing interest and concern around AI’s role in reshaping video content creation.
This release follows Sora’s initial February debut to select creators, with OpenAI now expanding access while navigating the challenges of AI innovation responsibly.
