OpenAI’s newly released video app Sora has rapidly become a sensation in the AI world, hitting the milestone of 1 million downloads in less than five days, and doing so faster than ChatGPT achieved at its launch.

What is Sora?
Sora is an AI-powered video generation app developed by OpenAI, built on the “Sora” text-to-video model (version 2). The app lets users create short, hyperrealistic video clips from simple text prompts, even inserting a user’s own face (via “cameos”) within those videos.
At launch, it was invite-only and limited to iOS in the U.S. and Canada, yet it quickly rose to the top of the App Store charts.

How fast did it grow?
According to Appfigures data reported by TechCrunch, Sora recorded about 627,000 iOS installations in its first week, versus ChatGPT’s 606,000 in its initial week. TechCrunch
Shortly after, Bill Peebles (OpenAI’s head of Sora) commented that the app cleared the 1 million-download mark in under five days — a feat made more striking by the app’s invite-only rollout.

Why is Sora viral?

Ease of use & novelty — the barrier to creating polished video is lowered to typing a prompt and uploading a cameo.

Social integration — users can post, remix, and share generated clips.

Innovation in AI media — it marks a shift from image-generation tools toward mainstream adoption of video AI.

Robust model improvements — Sora 2 supports better synchronization of video and audio, making results more compelling.

Challenges & controversies
Despite its success, Sora is not without issues:

Copyright & intellectual property — by default, the system can use copyrighted characters or content unless rights holders opt out. This has sparked criticism from Hollywood.

Deepfake and misuse risk — the ability to realistically portray people (including the deceased) has already triggered backlash. 

Access limitations & monetization — the app is currently invite-only and free. OpenAI has hinted at monetization in future updates. 

Ethical concerns — from identity and likeness control to misinformation potential, Sora raises deeper questions about the future of AI media.

Outlook
Sora’s blistering start suggests many users are eager for tools that let them become directors of their own AI-driven narratives. But its path forward depends heavily on how OpenAI handles safety, rights management, and scalability. If handled well, Sora could be a turning point in how everyday users create and consume video content powered by generative AI.