Artists Stick It to 'AI Overlords' and Leak OpenAI's Sora Video Model
For a short time on Tuesday, a group of artists shared a tool that allowed anyone to use OpenAI’s officially unreleased Sora AI model, which transforms text prompts into videos.
Protest Against Exploitative Business Model
In an open letter titled “Dear Corporate AI Overlords,” accompanied by illustrations of figures raiding their middle fingers, the artists expressed their frustration with OpenAI. They claimed to have been offered early access to Sora to test the product and collaborate as creative partners. However, they believed that OpenAI intended to exploit hundreds of unpaid AI artists for what they termed as “art washing”.
The artists criticized the program for requiring unpaid labor for bug testing, feedback, and experimental work, despite the significant value OpenAI gains as a company. They highlighted the disparity between the minimal compensation offered to selected artists and the substantial PR and marketing benefits reaped by OpenAI.
Voicing Concerns
Although the artists supported the use of AI in art, they disagreed with the rollout of the early access program. They felt that it was more of a public relations tactic than a genuine opportunity for creative exploration and critique.
Any videos created using the tool had to be approved by OpenAI before sharing, further fueling the artists' discontent. The tool, previously available on Hugging Face, is now inaccessible. OpenAI has temporarily halted the Sora early access program for artists to reassess its development and safety measures.
OpenAI's Response
OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson addressed the situation, emphasizing the voluntary nature of artist participation in shaping Sora and the company's commitment to supporting artists through grants and events. The organization aims to make Sora a safe and effective creative tool.
Despite OpenAI's teaser of Sora in February, the model remains unreleased for wider use. The artists' open letter urged peers to utilize open-source video generation tools and called on AI companies to prioritize true artist expression and fair compensation.
Conclusion
It is evident that the relationship between AI technology and artistic expression is complex. The clash between the artists and OpenAI reflects broader debates about AI ethics, labor rights, and creative autonomy in the digital age.
