OpenAI pauses Sora video generations of Martin Luther King Jr. after request from the King Estate

OpenAI has temporarily suspended Sora’s ability to generate videos of Martin Luther King Jr. following a request from The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr. (King, Inc.). The pause comes after users created disrespectful AI depictions — including altered footage of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech — that prompted public outcry and appeals from family members.

OpenAI said it worked with the estate “to address how his likeness is represented in Sora generations” and is “strengthening guardrails for historical figures.” The company also said representatives of other historical figures can ask that likenesses not be used in Sora videos.

• Users previously generated Sora videos of several deceased public figures, including Michael Jackson and Robin Williams, drawing criticism from family members.
• Reports say some Sora-made clips included deeply offensive content, such as edits of King’s speech and fabricated interactions with other historical figures.
• OpenAI framed the move as balancing free speech interests with the rights of public figures and their families to control how likenesses are used.

Reactions from family members were swift: Bernice A. King (Dr. King’s daughter) and others publicly asked people to stop sharing AI-made videos of their loved ones. Developers and ethicists have debated whether and how AI tools should allow realistic recreations of real people — especially historical figures whose images carry cultural and emotional weight.

If you want to read more, see the original coverage on Engadget and OpenAI’s public statements at openai.com.

What this means: AI companies are under increasing pressure to build stronger safety measures that respect the wishes of families and the dignity of historical figures, while balancing creative and free-speech concerns.

Discussion: Do you think AI platforms should be allowed to recreate public figures, living or dead, if the result can be misleading or offensive? Share your thoughts below.