Here is a comprehensive summary of the news article: **News Summary: OpenAI Halts Sora Videos of Martin Luther King Jr. After 'Disrespectful' Deepfakes** * **News Provider:** CNBC * **Author:** Samantha Subin * **Publication Date:** October 17, 2025 --- **Key Findings & Developments:** * **Halt on MLK Jr. Videos:** OpenAI has suspended the generation of artificial intelligence-generated videos depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. using its short-form video tool, **Sora**. * **Reason for Halt:** The decision was made after users employed Sora to create **"disrespectful depictions"** of the civil rights leader. * **OpenAI's Policy Shift:** * OpenAI stated that while **free speech interests** are considered in depicting historical figures, public figures and their families should ultimately have **control over how their likeness is used**. * The company plans to implement tougher **"guardrails"** for generating content involving historical figures. * Public figures or their representatives will have the ability to **request not to appear** in Sora videos. * **Sora Tool Performance:** * Sora, which allows users to create AI-generated short videos from text prompts, was launched at the **end of September**. * In **less than five days**, Sora amassed over **1 million downloads**, achieving this milestone faster than ChatGPT. **Broader Context and Related Concerns:** * **Precedent of Deepfake Issues:** This incident is part of a growing trend of public figures raising concerns about AI-generated deepfakes: * **Zelda Williams**, daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams, has requested that people cease sending her AI videos of her father. * Last year, actress **Scarlett Johansson** reported that OpenAI used a voice on ChatGPT that sounded **"eerily similar"** to her performance in the movie "Her." OpenAI subsequently removed the voice from its platform. * **Risks Associated with AI-Generated Videos:** The rapid rise of AI video generation tools like Sora raises significant concerns, including: * The spread of **misinformation**. * **Copyright infringement**. * The proliferation of **"AI slop"** – quickly produced videos that flood social media feeds. **Material Financial Data Mentioned:** * The article includes a reference to **"$1 trillion-worth of AI deals between OpenAI, Nvidia and others"** as a related piece of tech news, presented in a chart. This figure represents the scale of investment and activity in the AI sector but is not directly tied to the Sora/MLK Jr. incident itself.
OpenAI stops Sora videos of Martin Luther King Jr. after users made ‘disrespectful’ deepfakes
Read original at CNBC →Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressing crowd of demonstrators outside the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.Francis Miller/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty ImagesOpenAI halted artificial intelligence-generated videos of Martin Luther King Jr. after users utilized its short-form video tool Sora to create "disrespectful depictions" of the civil rights leader."
While there are strong free speech interests in depicting historical figures, OpenAI believes public figures and their families should ultimately have control over how their likeness is used," OpenAI said in a post to social media platform X.The ChatGPT maker said it will work to toughen "guardrails" for historical figures and that public figures or representatives can ask to not appear in Sora videos.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.Read more CNBC tech news$1 trillion-worth of AI deals between OpenAI, Nvidia and others, in one chartWaymo plans robotaxi launch in London, marking its European debutASML looks to calm fears over 2026 growth as it warns of China sales declineMeta removes Facebook page allegedly used to target ICE agents after pressure from DOJOther public figures have also called out the use of AI deepfakes.
Last week, Zelda Williams, the daughter of late comedian Robin Williams, asked that people stop sending her AI videos of her father.Last year, actress Scarlett Johansson said the company used a voice that sounded "eerily similar" to her performance in the movie "Her" on ChatGPT. OpenAI later pulled the voice from its platform.
OpenAI launched Sora at the end of September. The tool allows users to create AI-generated short videos using a text prompt. In less than five days, Sora head Bill Peebles said the tool had amassed over 1 million downloads, hitting the milestone faster than ChatGPT.Its ascent and the rise of AI-generated videos have also raised questions and concerns over the spread of misinformation, copyright infringement and the proliferation of AI slop, quickly produced videos that flood social feeds.
