OpenAI staff grapples with the company’s social media push as the launch of Sora, a TikTok-style app filled with AI-generated videos, sparks mixed reactions. The app, which includes everything from playful content to Sam Altman deepfakes, has raised internal debate about whether it aligns with OpenAI’s nonprofit mission to advance AI for humanity.
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Researchers Express Mixed Feelings
Several current and former researchers spoke out publicly, sharing their thoughts on X. Some expressed admiration for Sora’s technical achievement, while others voiced unease about its long-term impact.
John Hallman, an OpenAI pretraining researcher, admitted he was concerned at first but said the team worked hard to design a positive user experience. “We’re going to do our best to make sure AI helps and does not hurt humanity,” he wrote.
Harvard professor and OpenAI researcher Boaz Barak added, “Sora 2 is technically amazing, but it’s premature to congratulate ourselves on avoiding the pitfalls of other social media apps and deepfakes.”
Former Staff See A Different Path
Not everyone is on board. Former OpenAI researcher Rohan Pandey used the moment to promote Periodic Labs, a startup founded by ex-OpenAI scientists building AI for scientific discovery. “If you don’t want to build the infinite AI TikTok slop machine but want to accelerate fundamental science … come join us at Periodic Labs,” Pandey posted.
The Tension Between Research And Consumer Growth
The heated response reflects a recurring tension: OpenAI is both the fastest-growing consumer tech company in the world and a research-driven nonprofit with a mission to ensure AI benefits humanity.
For some, apps like ChatGPT and now Sora are seen as funding vehicles for deeper research. Others worry consumer products risk pulling OpenAI away from its core mission.
Altman Responds To The Criticism
CEO Sam Altman addressed the controversy in a post on X, explaining why the company is investing so heavily in Sora. He argued that pushing into consumer products isn’t a distraction but part of OpenAI’s long-term strategy to make advanced AI widely available while funding cutting-edge research.
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