OpenAI introduced the Sora app, enabling users to create and distribute AI videos on a social platform, which was initially available by invitation only starting on September 30. Within just three days, it rose to the top of the US App Store and achieved its first million downloads in under five days.
The momentum continued as in early November, the app began easing its invitation-only policy and expanded to Android, instantly dominating the Play Store with 470K installations on its debut day. By that month’s end, Sora had amassed 1 million daily active users according to Similarweb data.
OpenAI took a bold step by launching with minimal restrictions, risking potential intellectual property violations. However, this strategy proved fruitful as it heightened the app’s virality. This approach resembled Facebook’s “move fast and break things” ethos, coinciding with OpenAI’s recruitment of Meta growth experts. Numerous headlines within the initial months suggested users were embracing the AI-generated content flooding their feeds.
As Sora gained traction in October, it prompted a reevaluation of traditional notions about online content creation. Some prominent creators pondered whether human-generated content would be overshadowed by this new AI-driven social media landscape. Casey Neistat’s playful video on October 4 titled “SORA: the all Ai TikTok Clone. will slop end creativity?” captured the prevailing uncertainty among creators.
Neistat’s apprehensions mirrored those of other influencers who expressed concerns over potential misuse of their likenesses on the platform. Despite these reservations, some like Ben Thompson viewed Sora as an exciting frontier for AI with immense potential for human creativity.
The app’s explosive popularity sparked speculation about OpenAI securing significant investments, with reports indicating talks of valuations reaching as high as $830 billion. The app’s success also played a pivotal role in Disney’s decision to invest $1 billion in OpenAI.
However, as the initial hype waned, December saw a decline in daily active users to 750K according to Similarweb. Sensor Tower reported that users were spending an average of just 13 minutes per day on Sora compared to 90 minutes on TikTok.
Presently, Sora fluctuates between positions #70 and #80 on the US iOS Free Top Charts and ranks as the eighth most popular free app in the Photo & Video category behind Meta Vibes. It currently holds the 108th position on the Play Store charts.
Acknowledging these fluctuations, Ben Thompson recognized that while AI may never attain human-like creativity, it still offers unique value that resonates with users’ desires.
Despite AI-generated content gaining popularity alongside human-created content rife with malicious deepfakes documented by publications like 404media, Sora’s experiment sheds light on whether audiences appreciate feeds exclusively featuring AI-driven content.