OpenAI launched its video generation program, Sora, for customers on Monday. The tool uses written prompts to create videos up to 20 seconds long.
The company first unveiled Sora’s beta version in February. Now, the program is available as a standalone product for general use.
Innovating AI Video and Shaping Its Future
OpenAI aims to lead in developing AI-generated video technology and setting ethical standards for its use. CEO Sam Altman emphasized the importance of diversifying AI interaction beyond text during a live-streamed announcement.
“We’re introducing our video generation technology now to give society time to explore its possibilities and co-develop norms and safeguards,” the company stated in a blog post.
Capabilities and Limitations of Sora
Sora interprets prompts using a “deep understanding of language” and generates complex videos up to one minute long. These videos can include multiple characters, camera angles, and specific movements with realistic details.
Examples from Sora’s beta showcase its versatility, such as animated monsters, kangaroos, realistic scenes like a woman walking in Tokyo, and cinematic trailers. However, OpenAI acknowledged current limitations, including unrealistic physics and challenges with complex, long-duration actions.
Addressing Concerns About Misuse
OpenAI recognizes the potential for AI-generated videos to be abused. Incidents like deepfake political messages and explicit images have raised concerns about the technology’s risks.
To mitigate abuse, OpenAI restricts uploads involving real people and will relax these limits only as deepfake detection improves. Safeguards include blocking harmful content, monitoring uploads, and reporting violations to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
All Sora-generated videos include C2PA metadata and watermarking to ensure transparency and allow users to identify AI-created content.
OpenAI’s release of Sora signals a step toward balancing innovation with responsibility in the growing field of AI video generation.
