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  • tech360.tv
    • Sep 3
    • 2 min read

Chinese AI 'Tiger' MiniMax Unveils Text-to-Video Model to Challenge OpenAI's Sora

Chinese AI startup MiniMax introduces video-01, a text-to-video model that competes with OpenAI's Sora. MiniMax's video-01 enables users to create short videos from text descriptions in two minutes. Other Chinese tech companies, such as Zhipu AI and ByteDance, have introduced similar text-to-video tools.





Revealed at MiniMax's inaugural developer conference in Shanghai, video-01 allows users to input text descriptions to generate up to six-second videos in just about two minutes. This launch positions MiniMax, alongside Zhipu AI, Baichuan, and Moonshot AI, as key players in China's AI landscape.


Yan Junjie, MiniMax's founder and CEO, stated that video-01 is the initial version of their video creation tool, with future updates planned to enable video generation from images and video editing capabilities.


MiniMax's introduction of video-01 reflects Chinese tech firms' aggressive strides in the AI sector, following OpenAI's showcase of Sora's video samples earlier this year, which raised concerns about China's technological competitiveness against the US.


MiniMax, established in December 2021, integrates video-01 into its consumer-oriented Hailuo AI platform, complementing its existing AI text and music generation features.


In a similar vein, Beijing-based Shengshu AI launched its Vidu text-to-video tool in July, supporting both Chinese and English text inputs. Meanwhile, Zhipu AI, valued at more than $1 billion, debuted its Sora-like tool in the same month, which accepts text and image prompts.


ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin, has launched its Jimeng text-to-video app on Apple's mainland App Store. The app allows users to create 80 images or 26 videos for free, with additional video generation options available through a monthly subscription starting at 69 yuan (US$9.70).


Alibaba Group Holding recently announced the development of Tora, a video-generating tool based on the OpenSora model. Kuaishou Technology, a Hong Kong-listed short video app operator, announced a subscription plan for its Kling text-to-video service in June.


MiniMax has received investments from major Chinese technology companies including Alibaba, Tencent Holdings, and miHoYo, the creator of Genshin Impact. Alibaba led MiniMax's funding round in March, valuing the company at more than $2 billion.

 

  • Chinese AI start-up MiniMax introduces video-01, a text-to-video model, to compete with OpenAI's Sora.

  • MiniMax's video-01 allows users to create short videos from text descriptions in just two minutes.

  • Other Chinese tech firms like Zhipu AI and ByteDance have also launched similar text-to-video tools.


Source: SCMP

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