OpenAI pauses Sora video generations of Martin Luther King Jr.

OpenAI announced Thursday that it has disabled the ability for users to create videos using Sora, an AI video model of the late civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. The company said it was adding this protection at the request of Dr. King’s estate after some Sora users created “disrespectful images” of his image.

“While there is a strong free speech interest in depicting historical figures, OpenAI believes that the public should ultimately have control over how their likenesses are used by figures and their families,” OpenAI said in a message. Posted on X From its official newsroom account. “Authorized representatives or estate owners may request that their duplicates not be used in cameos.”

The ban came just weeks later OpenAI has launched its social video platformSora, which allows users to create realistic AI-generated videos of historical figures, their friends and users who choose to recreate their likenesses on the platform. The launch has sparked intense public debate over the dangers of AI-generated videos and how platforms should enforce guardrails around the technology.

Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Dr. King, Posted on Instagram Last week asked people to stop sending her AI videos like her father. He was joined by Robin Williams’ daughter, who asked Sora users to stop making AI videos of her father.

The Washington Post reported earlier this week that Sora users have created AI-generated videos Dr. King is making monkey noises and wrestled with another civil rights icon, Malcolm X. By scrolling through OpenAI’s Sora app, it’s easy to find raw videos of the likes of artist Bob Ross, singer Whitney Houston, and other historical figures, including former President John F. Kennedy.

The licensor of Dr. King’s Estate did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Beyond how Sora represents people, the launch also raises questions about how social media platforms should operate Copyrighted working AI video. The Sora app is also full of videos featuring cartoons like SpongeBob, South Park and Pokemon.

OpenAI has added other restrictions to Sora in the weeks since its launch. In early October, the company said it planned to give copyright holders More granular control On the types of AI videos that can be created with their similes. This may be a reaction to Hollywood’s initial reaction to Sora, which Wasn’t great.

Since OpenAI added restrictions to Sora, the company appears to be taking a more hands-off approach to regulating content on ChatGPT. OpenAI announced this week that it will allow adult users “Sexual” chat with ChatGPT next month

With Sora, it seems like OpenAI is tackling the concerns that come with AI video generation. Some OpenAI researchers Publicly wrestle with the question About the company’s first AI-powered social media platform in the days following its launch and how such a product fits into the nonprofit’s mission. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company felt “panicAbout Sora on launch day.

Nick Turley, Head of ChatGPT, told me earlier this month The best way to teach the world about a new technology is to expose it to the world. He said that’s what the company learned with ChatGPT, and that’s what OpenAI is finding with Sora. It seems that the company is learning something about how to distribute this technology.