OpenAI has launched a big update for its AI video generator, Sora, bringing several creative tools for users. The new Sora 2 update lets people build reusable AI characters, combine short clips, and explore trending videos through community leaderboards.
The move signals OpenAI’s push to make AI video creation more interactive and social, giving creators more control and flexibility in storytelling.
Character Cameos: Turn Any Image into a Digital Avatar
The highlight of the Sora 2 update is the new “character cameos” feature. It allows users to turn almost any image or person into a reusable avatar for AI-generated videos.
According to OpenAI’s official release, users can now build an original persona that appears in multiple videos. These characters can be based on real people, pets, artwork, or even toys.
“Each character comes with its own permissions,” OpenAI explained. “You can keep it private, share it with friends, or make it public for anyone to use.” Users can also give each character a name and handle, tagging them to make cameo appearances in different videos.
This builds on an earlier Sora version that let users generate AI likenesses of themselves. However, it’s still unclear how OpenAI will handle verification for real or fictional identities — a key concern as debates continue over ethical AI usage and digital likeness rights.
New Tools: Clip Stitching and Creative Leaderboards
Another major addition in Sora 2 is the video stitching tool. It allows users to merge multiple short clips into one long video. This feature makes it easier to create story-driven or cinematic projects directly inside Sora, without needing external editing tools.
OpenAI has also added community leaderboards to showcase trending content. These leaderboards will highlight the most remixed videos and the most popular cameo characters.
By spotlighting top creators, OpenAI hopes to build a more engaging and competitive AI video community — where users not only create but also collaborate and remix others’ work.
Availability and Legal Dispute
The new Sora features are currently rolling out in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. Users in these regions can now sign up for Sora without needing an invitation code.
However, the update has arrived amid a trademark dispute. The celebrity video platform Cameo recently filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the company’s use of the term “cameo” infringes on its trademark. OpenAI has not issued any public comment on the matter yet.
Bigger Push into AI Video Creation
With Sora 2, OpenAI is stepping up its game against rivals like Runway, Pika, and Synthesia. The new features focus on making AI video creation more personal, social, and community-driven.
By combining reusable characters, smart editing tools, and creative leaderboards, Sora 2 aims to redefine how users tell stories with AI. The update shows OpenAI’s growing ambition to dominate not just text and image generation — but the fast-evolving world of AI video.
