OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence startup, announced the release of its AI video-generation tool, Sora, on Monday. This tool, similar to OpenAI's image-generation AI tool, DALL-E, allows users to type out a desired scene and receive a high-definition video clip in return. Sora can also generate video clips inspired by still images, extend existing videos, or fill in missing frames.
The tool will be available to U.S. users and most countries internationally, with no set timeline for launching in Europe, the U.K., and other countries. Users will not need to pay extra for Sora, as it will be included in existing ChatGPT accounts like Plus and Pro.
Sora has been tested by a small group of safety testers, or "red-teamers," for vulnerabilities in areas such as misinformation and bias. OpenAI has faced questions about the delay in Sora's release, with concerns raised about the amount of compute/time required for inference and safety measures.
The release of Sora comes as part of OpenAI's growth plan, as the company competes with other big players in the generative AI market, including Amazon-backed Anthropic, Elon Musk's xAI, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. The company closed a funding round in October at a valuation of $157 billion and has plans to invest more in marketing to grow its user base.
However, news of Sora's release follows protests from artists who criticized OpenAI for not being sufficiently open or supportive of the arts beyond marketing efforts. The protestors accused the company of using artists for unpaid labor and minimal compensation, raising concerns about the rollout of the artist program and the impact of the tool on the arts community.
In response, OpenAI stated that participation in the alpha program for Sora was voluntary, with no obligation to provide feedback or use the tool. The company highlighted the contributions of artists in shaping Sora's development and committed to supporting them through grants, events, and other programs.