OpenAI has finally released Sora, its highly anticipated AI video generator, after months of anticipation. Announced on Monday as part of the “12 Days of OpenAI” event, Sora promises to revolutionize video creation with its advanced capabilities. CEO Sam Altman emphasized its significance in OpenAI’s pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Sora’s Features and Accessibility
Sora allows users to generate videos ranging from 5 to 20 seconds in length, with resolutions from 480p to 1080p. It accepts both text prompts and reference images as input, and can even edit and extend existing video clips. A notable feature is the “storyboard” function, enabling creators to combine multiple prompts into a single, cohesive scene.
Initially, access will be granted to U.S. and international ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers. Plus users will receive a monthly allowance of up to 50 clip generations, capped at 720p, with fewer generations at higher resolutions. Pro users will enjoy unlimited generations at all resolutions and durations up to 20 seconds.
Early Reviews and Performance
Early access was provided to YouTuber Marquis Brownlee, whose review highlights both Sora’s potential and current limitations. While impressed with the generation speed, particularly for 1080p clips, he noted that this might change as usage increases. Brownlee also observed challenges in accurately rendering leg movements, a common issue in AI-generated video.
The generation process, according to Brownlee, takes “a few minutes” for a 1080p clip. He raised concerns about potential slowdowns as the platform becomes more widely used. A significant limitation he identified was the model’s difficulty in realistically portraying leg movement, often resulting in unnatural and distorted depictions.
Content Restrictions and Development Challenges
Unlike Grok 2, Sora implements content restrictions, prohibiting the generation of copyrighted material, depictions of individuals under 18, and content containing violence or explicit themes.
Despite OpenAI’s industry leadership, Sora’s development faced delays, allowing competitors like Runway’s Gen-3 alpha, Kuaishou Technology’s Kling, and Meta’s Movie Gen to enter the market earlier. A recent leak by beta testers, who alleged “art washing” of Sora’s capabilities, further complicated the launch.
Sora’s Future Impact
Sora represents a significant step forward in AI video generation, offering powerful tools for creators. While initial reviews highlight certain limitations, OpenAI’s commitment to ongoing development suggests continuous improvement and refinement. The accessibility of Sora through ChatGPT subscriptions positions it to become a widely used tool, potentially transforming how videos are created and consumed.
