Sora's Meteoric Rise: Outpacing ChatGPT in Initial Downloads
OpenAI's latest venture, the AI-powered social media platform Sora, has achieved a remarkable milestone, hitting 1 million app downloads in under five days. This explosive growth dwarfs even the early success of its predecessor, ChatGPT, which itself revolutionized user interaction with AI. Astonishingly, Sora's rapid ascent occurred despite its limited availability, initially accessible only via invitation and primarily targeting North America.
From Text to Ten Seconds of AI-Generated Video
Launched on September 30th, Sora was envisioned as a compelling alternative to short-form video giants like TikTok. Its core functionality allows users to transform simple text prompts into engaging video clips, complete with synchronized audio and a duration of up to 10 seconds. The newer iteration boasts a significant leap in visual fidelity, delivering remarkably realistic footage that adheres more closely to the laws of physics than its predecessors. This enhanced realism is a key factor contributing to its viral appeal.
The "Cameo" Feature: Innovation Meets Controversy
A standout innovation in Sora is the "cameo" function, enabling users to insert their likeness into AI-generated videos. This feature, however, requires users to upload a one-time video recording for identity and facial verification, adding a layer of personal engagement. Yet, this groundbreaking capability has also ignited a firestorm of concerns from copyright holders, as AI-generated content featuring public figures and recognizable likenesses could potentially lead to misuse. OpenAI has acknowledged these apprehensions, promising to grant rights holders greater oversight and control over their content.
Navigating Unprecedented Growth and Future Prospects
The platform has already been flooded with a diverse array of user-generated content, including some rather audacious and humorous creations. One particularly viral clip depicted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman purportedly stealing graphics cards from a store, a testament to the creativity and sometimes mischievous spirit of the user base. Bill Peebles, Head of Sora, acknowledged the overwhelming demand, stating, "The team is working hard to keep up with surging growth." He also teased upcoming enhancements, promising "more features and fixes to overmoderation" as the platform matures.
"Sora hit 1M app downloads in <5 days, even faster than ChatGPT did (despite the invite flow and only targeting North America!)! Team working hard to keep up with surging growth. More features and fixes to overmoderation on the way!" - Bill Peebles (@billpeeb) October 9, 2025
Dominating App Stores and Setting New Benchmarks
Currently, Sora reigns supreme as the top free app in the App Store across the United States and Canada. This rapid ascent to the pinnacle of app store rankings underscores the platform's immediate impact and widespread appeal. For context, OpenAI previously reported that ChatGPT garners approximately 800 million weekly users, a figure that Sora, despite its nascent stage, is poised to challenge given its current trajectory. This rapid adoption suggests a significant shift in how users engage with AI-powered creative tools, mirroring the paradigm shift initiated by ChatGPT.
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