The project was briefly available on the Hugging Face platform, allowing users to create videos before being swiftly shut down.

Details of the Leak:
On Tuesday, the group, identifying as "Sora PR Puppets," published an interface linked to the closed API of Sora on Hugging Face. This interface enabled users to generate 10-second videos at up to 1080p resolution using authorization tokens likely granted for early access.

While the tool was operational, some users managed to generate and share videos on social media platform X, despite a long queue reported by TechCrunch journalists. However, by 12:01 PM ET, the interface was disabled, presumably blocked by OpenAI or Hugging Face. Following the leak, OpenAI temporarily suspended early access to Sora for all participants.

Why Did the Leak Happen?
The Sora PR Puppets group claims that OpenAI’s early access program pressures participants, including security testers ("red teams") and creative collaborators, into promoting the tool while unfairly compensating their efforts. They argue that the program prioritizes public relations over genuine artistic collaboration or critical evaluation.

"Hundreds of artists perform unpaid labor—testing bugs, providing feedback, and experimenting—all for a company valued at $150 billion," the group stated. "This program feels more like a marketing campaign than a platform for creativity and critique."

The group also criticized OpenAI for overstating Sora’s capabilities, noting that all videos generated through Sora require OpenAI’s approval before public release. Furthermore, only a small number of early testers are permitted to showcase their work publicly.

The Group’s Position:
The activists clarified they are not opposed to AI as a creative tool but are against the structure of OpenAI’s program and its presentation of Sora to the public.

"If we were against AI in art, we wouldn’t have been invited to the program," they explained. "We hope this leak prompts OpenAI to be more transparent, artist-friendly, and genuinely supportive of creativity instead of focusing solely on PR."

Implications for OpenAI:
The Sora leak raises concerns about both the readiness of the tool for public release and OpenAI’s approach to collaborating with artists and testers. As competitors rapidly expand their AI offerings, OpenAI faces growing reputational and technical challenges in maintaining its leadership in the field.