In a widely anticipated move that marks a turning point in the world of generative artificial intelligence, OpenAI announced the launch of a commercial model for its revolutionary Sora service, which converts text into high-definition video. This decision ends the limited trial period and opens the door to wider adoption of the technology, but it comes with costs for users who exceed certain limits, sparking mixed reactions among the community of creators and enthusiasts.
General context: From images to animated video
The launch of Sora is a natural next step in the evolution of generative AI. After models like DALL-E and Midjourney revolutionized image generation from text, video generation was the greater and more complex challenge. When OpenAI first unveiled Sora in February 2024, it astonished the world with its ability to create realistic and coherent videos up to a minute long, demonstrating a deep understanding of physics and the interactions of elements within a scene. These capabilities represented a quantum leap, and access was initially limited to a select group of researchers and artists to assess its potential and risks.
Details of Sora's new business model
According to recent announcements, the new plan aims to balance user accessibility with managing the enormous computing costs required for video generation. Every second of video generated by Sora demands massive processing power from graphics processing units (GPUs). To ensure the service's sustainability, a new pricing structure has been implemented:
- ChatGPT Pro users: will get a larger share, as they can create up to 100 videos per day for free within their subscription.
- Free users: They will be able to create 30 videos per day.
- Additional packages: When the daily limit is exceeded, users can purchase additional “tokens” to create more clips, with reports indicating that each additional 10 videos will cost around $4 USD, with no upper limit on the number of clips that can be purchased.
This strategy aims to enable professionals and filmmakers to “get the maximum use they want” without restrictions, while keeping server resources from being depleted.
Importance and expected impact: The new “Sora economy”
OpenAI's plans don't stop at charging fees; they extend to building what could be called the "Sora economy." The company aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that allows creators to monetize their work and contributions to the platform directly. One of the most prominent announced features is "Cameo Mode," which will allow users to consent to the use of their avatars or "digital dupes" in videos created by others in exchange for payment. This concept opens up new avenues for content creators and influencers to earn money, and also gives users greater control over how their digital images are used.
Globally, this shift represents a step toward democratizing the video and film industry, reducing financial and technical barriers for independent filmmakers and small companies. However, this development also raises legitimate concerns about deepfakes and the spread of disinformation, challenges that OpenAI is addressing by developing technologies to detect artificial content and implementing strict usage policies.
