Earlier this year, OpenAI unveiled Sora, its groundbreaking text-to-video AI model, designed to simulate and interact with reality. Building on this innovation, the company has now introduced Sora Turbo, a faster and more advanced version, launched as a standalone product on Monday at Sora.com for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users.
Part of OpenAI’s “ship-mas” product release series, Sora Turbo is available to users in the U.S. and many other countries. This launch marks a major milestone in AI-driven creativity, empowering users to generate realistic videos from text and explore new possibilities in visual storytelling.
What Sora Turbo Brings to the Table
Sora Turbo enhances the features of the original model previewed in February, offering faster performance and advanced capabilities. Users can now:
- Generate videos up to 1080p resolution and 20 seconds long.
- Animate images and remix existing videos.
- Use storyboards to craft videos frame by frame.
- Blend two scenes into a cohesive video using AI.
The model also supports content creation in various formats, including widescreen, vertical, and square aspect ratios, making it versatile for social media, storytelling, and creative projects.
Subscription Plans and Access
OpenAI has designed Sora Turbo with flexible access for ChatGPT users:
- ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): Generate up to 50 priority videos (1,000 credits) monthly at 720p resolution with durations of up to 5 seconds.
- ChatGPT Pro ($200/month): Offers unlimited generations, up to 500 priority videos, 1080p resolution, and durations of up to 20 seconds. Pro users can also download videos without watermarks and generate up to five videos simultaneously.
Even non-subscribers can explore Sora’s community feed, showcasing AI-generated videos created by other users.
Safety, Transparency, and Moderation
Recognizing the ethical challenges of AI-generated video, OpenAI has implemented robust safeguards to ensure responsible use:
- Visible Watermarks: All Sora-generated videos include watermarks to signal AI creation.
- C2PA Metadata: Embedded in videos to verify their origin.
- Content Guidelines: Users must agree to restrictions on uploading explicit, violent, or copyrighted material. Misuse may result in bans or account suspension.
Rohan Sahai, Sora’s product lead, acknowledged the complexities of balancing creative freedom with content moderation. “We know we might not get it perfect on day one,” he said during a livestream, encouraging user feedback to improve moderation systems over time.
Limitations and Future Plans
While Sora Turbo delivers impressive capabilities, OpenAI admits the model has limitations. Challenges include generating complex actions over extended durations and achieving realistic physics. The company aims to refine these aspects while working on tailored pricing models to make Sora accessible to a wider audience.
Currently, Sora Turbo is unavailable in parts of Europe and the UK due to regulatory considerations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that a rollout in these regions could take additional time.
Paving the Way for AI Creativity
Despite its infancy, Sora Turbo has already captured the imagination of creators. With features like storyboard-based editing, remixing, and blending, the platform redefines video storytelling. OpenAI hopes this early version of Sora will empower users to explore creative possibilities while shaping norms for responsible AI usage.
To explore Sora Turbo or create your first video, visit Sora.com.
