The next generation of OpenAI’s video generator is here.
Sora 2, the company’s latest video and audio generation model, touts upgraded photorealistic video capabilities, and a new Sora app is being billed as a social platform for users to share, remix and discover AI-generated videos.
Introduced in a livestream Tuesday afternoon, Sora 2 represents the latest in a wave of multimedia generative AI tools allowing users to create increasingly realistic images, video and audio.
Building on previous AI image generation technology, Sora 2 allows users to create “cameos,” or guest appearances, of themselves and others in videos. The feature requires users to make a one-time video and audio recording of themselves to verify their identity.
Like many existing social media platforms, the Sora app will feature an algorithmic feed displaying videos tailored to users’ interests based on who they interact with and the topics they might engage with. The feed will include a “steerable ranking” system for users to further personalize what they want to see, according to details published by OpenAI.
Sora 2, builds on the original Sora model released in February 2024.
Whereas the initial version of Sora sometimes struggled to represent realistic motion, like a basketball bouncing off of a backboard, OpenAI said Tuesday that Sora 2 “is better about obeying the laws of physics.”
Demos presented on the OpenAI website showcased photorealistic action shots of stunts such as gymnastic tumbling and skateboarding tricks, although a clip of a martial artist performing in a koi pond featured a staff that couldn’t seem to hold its shape.
Sora 2 is also seemingly able to generate speech, something the previous version of Sora was unable to do on its own.
The app is available for download now on iOS systems, but access to the service remains invite-only. Users can request access through the app.
OpenAI signaled that it may roll out access slowly across the United States and Canada, initially giving users “generous limits” on video creation. AI systems like Sora 2 require intense computing power, so companies often have to place limits on user access to ensure the service remains accessible for others.
“Transparently, our only current plan is to eventually give users the option to pay some amount to generate an extra video if there’s too much demand relative to available compute,” OpenAI said in its launch announcement, referring to finite computing power.
OpenAI also acknowledged concerns about potential downsides from the app, releasing a Sora 2 safety document in tandem with the larger announcement. Recognizing potential risks of isolation, addiction and the proliferation of poor-quality AI content, the company said, “We’ve made sure safety is built in from the very start.”
To guard against potential risks, OpenAI said it was boosting teams of human moderators to review content for bullying,
OpenAI framed Sora 2 as an important step toward more powerful AI systems. In the release statement, it said: “On the road to general-purpose simulation and AI systems that can function in the physical world, we think people can have a lot of fun with the models we’re building along the way.”
“Video models are getting very good, very quickly. General-purpose world simulators and robotic agents will fundamentally reshape society and accelerate the arc of human progress,” OpenAI said.
