Sora 2 aims to be the "AI version of Douyin", while Agent aims to be the "AI version of Amazon". OpenAI is vigorously promoting "AI applications".

OpenAI is playing a long - game strategy. It is splitting its efforts into two fronts. On one hand, it is preparing to launch a social app powered by its latest video model, Sora 2. On the other hand, it has integrated an instant shopping feature into ChatGPT. This artificial intelligence giant is accelerating its shift from a technology provider to an application platform service provider.

According to the latest report from Wired magazine, OpenAI is getting ready to release a standalone Sora 2 application. The app is designed to be highly similar to TikTok, featuring a vertical video stream and a swipe - based browsing interaction, but all the content is AI - generated. It is reported that the app was launched internally last week and received positive feedback from employees.

Meanwhile, in the field of commercial applications, OpenAI recently announced partnerships with e - commerce platforms Etsy and Shopify to introduce an instant checkout feature in the US market. Users can directly complete product purchases within ChatGPT conversations without having to jump to external websites. This move is regarded as a major transformation in the e - commerce industry. After the news was announced, Etsy's stock price soared nearly 16% at the close, and Shopify's stock price also rose by more than 6%.

However, OpenAI's ambitious application plans are not without resistance. The strategy of the Sora 2 app in copyright handling - using copyrighted content by default unless the rights - holder actively "opts out" - has raised strong concerns among content creators and film companies, indicating that a fierce battle over AI and intellectual property rights is about to unfold.

01

Sora 2

An AI short - video platform highly imitating TikTok?

It is reported that the Sora 2 app will allow users to generate video clips of up to 10 seconds in length and provide social functions such as liking, commenting, and remixing on the right side of the feed. The app also includes a "For You" page driven by a recommendation algorithm.

Notably, the app does not allow users to upload existing videos or photos from their phone albums or other apps, aiming to create a pure AI - generated content ecosystem.

The app also includes an identity verification function. After verification, users can use their own portraits in videos, and other users can also tag and use their portraits for creation. People familiar with the matter revealed that users will be notified even if their portraits are used in an unpublished draft video.

OpenAI's move is considered an attempt to replicate the success of ChatGPT in the text field, allowing the public to intuitively experience the potential of AI - generated videos through a disruptive application. OpenAI officially launched Sora last December. Initially, people could only access it through the web, but soon it was directly integrated into the ChatGPT application.

Meanwhile, insiders believe that against the backdrop of the uncertain future of TikTok's US business, this presents a unique opportunity for OpenAI. This move also puts OpenAI directly in competition with Meta and Google, which recently launched the AI video platform Vibes and YouTube integrated with the Veo 3 model respectively.

02

AI Agent

Joining hands with e - commerce giants to launch "instant shopping"

On another front, OpenAI's commercialization is more straightforward.

Through partnerships with Etsy and Shopify, over one million Shopify merchants, including well - known brands such as Glossier and SKIMS, will be able to sell products directly to consumers through ChatGPT.

This feature is based on an agent commerce agreement developed in cooperation between OpenAI and payment company Stripe, aiming to seamlessly convert the huge conversation traffic of ChatGPT into commercial transactions.

According to OpenAI, the weekly active users of its app exceeded 7 million in August, and a significant portion of the questions were related to shopping. Michelle Fradin, the head of OpenAI's product, said, "Our vision for ChatGPT is that it not only provides users with information but also helps them complete tasks in the real world."

Currently, this feature only supports single - item purchases and is available to US users. However, OpenAI plans to introduce a multi - item shopping cart in the future and expand the service area. The company will charge fees for transactions completed through ChatGPT, but the specific rates are included in a confidential contract, and users do not need to pay additional fees.

03

"Use first, opt out later"

Copyright disputes become the biggest concern

Despite the broad application prospects, OpenAI's approach to copyright issues is becoming its biggest potential risk.

People familiar with the matter said that OpenAI has started notifying major talent agencies and film companies that Sora 2 is about to be launched and has explained how they can protect their copyrighted content through an "opt - out" process.

This means that unless intellectual property holders such as film companies actively inform OpenAI, their copyrighted characters and content may be used by Sora 2 to generate videos. Jason Kwon, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer, said that the company has always handled portrait rights and copyright issues separately, and the new version of Sora will not use the images of public figures without permission.

However, OpenAI does not intend to accept "blanket" copyright exclusion requests. Rights - holders must report each case of infringing content after discovery. This approach has raised widespread concerns in the industry. Dan Neely, the CEO of AI licensing platform Vermillio, said that this move confirms the long - standing concerns of the industry.

This dispute comes at a time when the relationship between AI companies and Hollywood is tense. Creators have been demanding that AI companies obtain permission and pay compensation when using their works to train models. Although recent court rulings have partially supported the "fair use" of copyrighted content by AI companies, giants such as Disney have sued AI company Midjourney over similar issues, showing the tough stance of the content industry. OpenAI's copyright strategy will undoubtedly make it the center of a new round of legal and public - opinion storms.

This article is from the WeChat official account "Hard AI", author: Long Yue. Republished by 36Kr with permission.