OpenAI Faces Backlash After Sora Deepfakes Depict MLK Jr. in “Disrespectful” AI Videos

OpenAI is facing criticism after users created AI-generated deepfake videos of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. using Sora, the company’s new video tool. Critics say the clips are disrespectful and historically misleading.

Researchers and activists argue that using real historical figures in fake AI content risks distorting history and trivializing human rights struggles. They warn that tools like Sora can easily be abused to spread offensive or manipulative content.

Several civil rights groups have asked OpenAI to ban the use of public figures in deepfakes, especially those connected to sensitive historical movements. They claim such videos can harm public memory and fuel misinformation.

OpenAI responded by saying it is still testing safety features before full public release. The company said it will introduce stricter content filters and may restrict videos involving real people, especially without consent.

The incident adds to growing concerns about AI video models and their impact on politics, culture and public trust. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe are already drafting rules to govern synthetic media.

The debate highlights a larger question: how to balance creativity and free expression with ethics and historical responsibility in the AI era.