ByteDance joins OpenAI's Sora rivals with AI video app launch

BEIJING — ByteDance has expanded its offering of a software that can generate videos based on text prompts, joining a growing number of Chinese tech firms entering an emerging market also targeted by ChatGPT creator OpenAI.

Since Microsoft-backed OpenAI unveiled in February its text-to-video model Sora, which is not open for public use yet, Chinese companies have rapidly developed similar tools, with several launching models accessible to users.

Jimeng AI, developed by ByteDance-owned Faceu Technology, is now available on the Apple App Store for Chinese users, Reuters' checks showed on Tuesday (Aug 6), following its release on Android on July 31.

The launch of a text-to-video model by the parent of short video app firm TikTok follows a series of similar model releases in recent months in China.

Kuaishou, one of China's largest video apps, opened its Kling AI text-to-video model to a global audience late last month. Its beta version is accessible worldwide, requiring only an email address for registration.

Chinese AI startup Zhipu AI also introduced its video-generating model Ying last month, and days after its launch another startup, Shengshu, officially launched its Vidu app.

Faceu Technology operates under ByteDance's Jianying business, which is best known for its video editing app CapCut.

Jimeng AI offers subscriptions at 69 yuan ($12.75) monthly, 79 yuan for a single month, or 659 yuan annually. Each plan allows users to create about 2,050 images or 168 AI videos per month.

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