OpenAI recently granted 300 visual artists and filmmakers early access to Sora, its new generative AI video tool, but quickly suspended the program after just three hours following significant artist backlash.

The artists published an open letter criticizing OpenAI's approach, stating they felt manipulated into "art washing" rather than being treated as genuine creative partners. Their main concerns included:

• Being used as unpaid testers despite OpenAI's $150 billion valuation
• Strict content approval requirements from OpenAI before sharing any outputs
• Lack of fair compensation for their expertise and feedback

OpenAI responded through spokesperson Niko Felix, emphasizing that participation was voluntary with no obligations. The company stated they support artists through grants, events, and other programs, viewing AI as a creative tool that needs proper safety measures before broader release.

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati previously indicated Sora would be available by year-end, pending resolution of safety concerns and technical scaling requirements. The company has shown some commitment to artistic collaboration through initiatives like the Tribeca Festival's Sora Shorts program, which funded five filmmakers to create short films using the model.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between AI companies and creative professionals regarding fair compensation, creative control, and the ethical implementation of AI tools in artistic spaces.

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