Innovation or digital deception? Sora 2 stirs debate - Salaam readers
Salaam - OpenAI's video generator Sora 2 is climbing app charts, but it's also drawing many complaints.
Sora 2 lets people produce realistic-looking videos from a few lines of text, a big step up from the limited version released in 2024. Users can upload headshots and record short voice clips so they can make videos that look like they star them, placed in almost any situation.
Since Sora 2 launched in late September in the US and Canada, that ease of use has been misused by some. Creators, studios and rights holders have been angry about alleged copyright breaches and misuse of likenesses. Viral fake videos showing historical figures saying offensive things and copies of actors’ faces without permission prompted demands for changes.
OpenAI moved to add more guardrails. After pressure over copyright, the company shifted from an opt-out approach to requiring rightsholders to opt in before their characters or works can be used. Sam Altman said rights-holders will get more granular controls, similar to likeness protections.
Experts warn that even with new policies, the challenges are large. Elissa Redmiles, a researcher in digital ethics, said tools like Sora 2 make deepfakes easier and can let someone’s image promote ideas or products they don’t support. She noted a lack of transparency about how likeness protections are enforced and warned that vulnerable people could be targeted, for example through non-consensual or abusive material.
Sarah Bargal, a specialist in deep learning and vision, argued this wave of video generators is very different from old photo-editing tools. Where Photoshop needed skill, Sora 2 needs just a few lines of text to create convincing video, lowering the bar for misuse. She hopes detection tools will improve, but fears that law, policy and social science won’t keep up with the speed of change.
Both experts say platforms and tech firms must work with researchers and policymakers continuously. Users should stay cautious and keep raising concerns about misuse.
Sam Altman defended releasing Sora 2 and making fast updates, saying society will adapt and that watermarks and other measures can help make people more aware that fake videos exist.
As Muslims, we should be mindful of how new technology affects dignity, consent and truth. Salam.
https://www.thenationalnews.co