OpenAI recently granted 300 visual artists and filmmakers early access to Sora, its new generative AI video tool, but quickly terminated the program after just three hours following significant artist protest.

The artists published an open letter criticizing OpenAI's approach, stating they were being used for "art washing" rather than genuine collaboration. Their main concerns included:

• Unpaid testing and feedback despite OpenAI's $150 billion valuation
• Strict content approval requirements
• Lack of proper compensation for their expertise
• Being used as PR tools rather than genuine creative partners

In response, OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix emphasized that participation was voluntary with no obligations, stating: "Sora is still in research preview, and we're working to balance creativity with robust safety measures for broader use."

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati previously indicated Sora would be available by year-end, pending resolution of safety concerns and technical requirements. The company needs to:

• Scale computing requirements
• Address safety concerns
• Prevent impersonation issues
• Ensure responsible deployment during election periods

Despite the controversy, OpenAI continues to support artists through various initiatives, including the Tribeca Festival's Sora Shorts program, which funded five filmmakers to create short films using the model.

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