OpenAI has launched its new video generation tool, Sora, for subscribers to its ChatGPT Pro and Plus plans, but it’s only available in certain regions. The tool, which aims to enhance human creativity, can generate short video clips ranging from 5 to 20 seconds. The version being launched is Sora Turbo, which can produce videos in various resolutions and aspect ratios. Will Peebles, an OpenAI staff member, emphasized that while the tool is still in its early stages and may make mistakes, it holds significant potential for creative projects.
Sora offers a variety of features to help users create and manipulate videos. Users can generate multiple variations of clips based on text prompts or images and edit videos using tools like Re-mix, Storyboard, and Blend. These allow users to create sequences, blend elements from two videos, or tweak video scenes further. Although Sora’s capacity faced issues at launch, it promises to be a powerful tool for video creators. Despite the early glitches, OpenAI is excited about the possibilities for creativity it opens up.
Accessing Sora requires credits, which are allocated monthly based on the user’s plan. ChatGPT Plus subscribers receive 1,000 credits, and Pro users get 10,000 credits, both of which reset monthly. The credits are used for generating videos, with the number of credits required varying based on the video’s resolution and duration.
For example, 480p videos cost between 20 and 150 credits, 720p videos range from 30 to 540 credits, and 1080p videos range from 100 to 2,000 credits. Each plan also offers a set amount of “priority videos” that generate more quickly.
Subscribers using the Pro plan enjoy the added benefit of unlimited “relaxed” videos, which are low-priority videos without watermarks. In contrast, Plus users have a limited amount of priority videos at 720p. By default, Sora-generated videos feature a watermark in the lower-right corner, but this can be avoided by using relaxed, low-priority videos. Credits are reset every month, and any unused credits do not roll over, making it important for users to manage them effectively.
However, the Sora tool is not yet available in Europe, as OpenAI has omitted all EU countries from its initial launch list. The company has not provided specific details on when Sora will be accessible in these regions, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noting that some countries may never see the service due to regulatory issues. This exclusion is reminiscent of OpenAI’s rollout of its Advanced Voice Mode feature earlier this year, which also delayed its launch in Europe due to regulatory requirements.
The delay in Sora’s availability is not unique to OpenAI, as other tech companies like Meta and Microsoft have faced similar challenges when launching AI tools in Europe.
Compliance with the European Union’s complex data privacy regulations has led to delays, and Meta has even called for a re-interpretation of these laws to avoid stifling AI development. OpenAI has stated that these external reviews are necessary for ensuring its products comply with local requirements, though they can take time, potentially affecting the speed of deployment.
