**AI Video Maker Sora 2 Sparks Hollywood Backlash**
OpenAI’s latest creation, Sora 2, an AI video generator, has ruffled feathers in Hollywood, with one of the industry’s leading talent agencies, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), publicly condemning the tool. The agency’s unsigned memo accused OpenAI of disregarding performers’ likeness rights and compensation, raising concerns about the potential misuse of AI in the entertainment industry.
The Cameo feature, which allows users to insert themselves into AI-generated clips, has drawn particular scrutiny. CAA questioned OpenAI’s stance on compensating and crediting creators, stating, “It is clear that OpenAI/Sora exposes our clients and their intellectual property to significant risk… Does OpenAI believe they can just steal it, disregarding global copyright principles and blatantly dismissing creators’ rights?”
CAA’s stance is echoed by rival agencies WME and UTA, who have also issued statements demanding OpenAI remove their clients from Sora 2. This public clash highlights the differing approaches of Silicon Valley’s rapid innovation and Hollywood’s meticulous licensing and consent processes.
OpenAI, however, seems receptive to the industry’s concerns. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged potential issues in a blog post, promising changes and partnerships to address them. The company has begun adjusting Sora 2’s parameters and hinted at future guardrails and revenue sharing. OpenAI confirmed that the Cameo feature requires users’ explicit consent, with public figures controlling their likeness and deceased figures’ estates able to request removal.
Yet, skepticism persists. The Motion Picture Association has warned OpenAI that preventing copyright violations is its responsibility. The haziness around lookalikes and deepfakes, along with recent viral AI videos of deceased celebrities, has deepened concerns. CAA’s memo suggests a willingness to embrace AI videos with celebrities, given the right rules and compensation.
The future of consumer AI video tools likely hinges on how these issues play out. As CAA put it, “Control, permission for use, and compensation is a fundamental right of these workers. Anything less than the protection of creators and their rights is unacceptable.”
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and entertainment, the battle lines are drawn. OpenAI’s response to these concerns will shape not just Sora 2’s future, but also the broader landscape of AI-generated content.
