OpenAI has made a significant impact on the iOS market. On October 3, 2025, the company’s Sora video app leapfrogged competitors to take the top spot in Apple’s US App Store. The app, which lets anybody create short AI-powered videos, is currently invite-only, open just to iOS users in the U.S. and Canada. But that hasn’t stopped it from pulling an enormous wave of downloads and hype.
Sora launches rockets past rivals.
On its debut day, Sora hit 56,000 installs. In just two days, total downloads hit 164,000. That easily beats other AI launches from Google Gemini and OpenAI’s own ChatGPT. Analysts say social aspects, remixing, and user feeds drove its viral rise.
Bill Peebles, Sora’s lead at OpenAI, said the team is “rapidly iterating and responding to user feedback” as they watch “the collective creativity of humanity” unfold.
What Makes Sora Stand Out?
Users generate short videos, remix others’ clips, and share content in feeds much like TikTok. The technology pushes realism and animation far past old AI video apps. OpenAI’s upgraded Sora 2 model gets the credit for more accurate, controllable visuals. The remarkably realistic sounds and movements capture the attention of the tech world.
But success has sparked debates. Sora’s rapid growth led to headlines—not just for record installs, but also for copyright controversy and bizarre videos of famous figures. One viral creation featured CEO Sam Altman in a store, prompting questions about AI outputs, legality, and platform safety.
Sam Altman Speaks Out: Update #1
Just as Sora hit No. 1, CEO Sam Altman broke his silence. He promised significant changes and shared his vision. “We plan to monetize the app while giving rights holders more granular control over character creation,” Altman said. This new system means if you own a copyright, you get new tools to decide if, when, and how your creations appear in Sora. Rights holders have expressed enthusiasm for interactive fan fiction-style videos, according to Altman, but protections are necessary.
Key points from Altman’s update:
- Copyright Control: OpenAI will let rights holders control their characters with opt-in tools. The old opt-out model is gone.
- Revenue Sharing: Altman hinted at a future where creators and rights holders earn money if their characters star in popular Sora clips. “Trial and error” is expected in rolling out these features.
- Content Moderation: The company will invest in safety, giving users more power over their likenesses. Early videos of celebrities and pop-culture crossovers (some silly, some shocking) forced tougher moderation.
- Broad Adoption Target: The goal is to make Sora compelling enough to draw everybody in while keeping bad actors and unsafe content out.
App Store Milestone and Industry Impact
Sora’s unique invite code system didn’t slow momentum. Some 164,000 downloads in two days proved massive pent-up demand for AI video tools. Other launches, from Claude to Copilot, didn’t get close.
Reviewers praised the “jaw-dropping” realism of videos but flagged risks. Safety experts warned about deepfakes, scams, and misleading celebrity clips. OpenAI says it’s rolling out new guardrails and will keep updating policies.
Honest Verdict: Innovation Meets Caution
Most users like Sora for its creativity. But concerns linger on copyright, moderation, and misuse. With Altman’s promised revenue share and stricter controls, analysts suggest OpenAI may set new standards for ethical AI video generation—or face fresh legal headaches if problems persist.
(Source: CNBC, TechCrunch, Times of India, Business Insider, Hollywood Reporter)
