OpenAI has announced the rollout of Sora, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool capable of generating realistic videos from text prompts.
The launch, set for Monday, December 9, 2024, marks nearly ten months since OpenAI first previewed the technology.
Sora will initially be available to paid ChatGPT users in the US and other select markets. Subscribers to ChatGPT Plus (US$20 per month) will have access to 50 video generations monthly, while ChatGPT Pro users (US$200 per month) can generate 500 faster videos monthly with unlimited slower generations, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The tool allows users to create video clips of up to 20 seconds, offering multiple variations for each text prompt.
Sora’s capabilities aim to streamline video production processes, positioning OpenAI among startups like Pika, Haiper, and Runway, which are leveraging AI for cost-effective and rapid video creation.
The introduction of Sora comes as AI video technology gains traction in industries ranging from film production to media content creation. OpenAI has already engaged with film studios, media executives, and talent agencies, offering early access to select actors, directors, and artists to test the tool.
However, the technology is not without limitations. Early tests revealed challenges with physics accuracy and stray body parts, alongside significant computational demands compared to AI image generators or chatbots. Despite these hurdles, OpenAI hopes to refine Sora as adoption grows.
Sora’s capabilities have the potential to reshape video production, allowing users to create clips quickly and more affordably than traditional methods.
This innovation could disrupt sectors like Hollywood, where short-form video production plays a critical role.
Recently, competitors like Runway partnered with studios to explore AI’s role in filmmaking, highlighting the increasing relevance of such tools.
At launch, Sora’s availability will be restricted to paid ChatGPT subscribers. Altman emphasized that the tool is designed to complement OpenAI’s broader offerings, including its widely used ChatGPT chatbot.
