- ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has launched a new AI video app, Jimeng AI, which can generate videos based on text prompts.
- This move places ByteDance among several Chinese tech firms entering the emerging market of AI-generated video content, initially targeted by OpenAI with its Sora model.
OUR TAKE
The entrance of major players like ByteDance into the AI-generated video space signifies a significant shift in the market dynamics, potentially democratising access to advanced video creation tools.
-Lilith Chen, BTW Reporter
What happened
ByteDance‘s new AI video app, Jimeng AI, developed by its subsidiary Faceu Technology, is now available on the Apple App Store for Chinese users, following its release on Android on July 31. Jimeng AI allows users to create videos using text prompts, offering a subscription model for users to access its services. The app provides flexible subscription plans, including monthly and annual options, giving users the ability to generate a substantial number of AI videos and images.
Chinese companies have rapidly developed similar tools since OpenAI unveiled its text-to-video model Sora in February, although Sora is not yet available for public use. Kuaishou, one of China’s largest video apps, recently opened its Kling AI text-to-video model to a global audience, allowing users worldwide to create AI videos with just an email address. Additionally, AI startups like Zhipu AI and Shengshu have launched their video-generating models, Ying and Vidu, respectively, further intensifying the competition in this emerging market.
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Why it’s important
Jimeng AI operates under ByteDance’s Jianying business, known for its popular video editing app CapCut. The subscription plans for Jimeng AI start at 69 yuan ($9.65) per month, with options for single-month and annual subscriptions. Each plan allows users to create about 2,050 images or 168 AI videos per month, making advanced video creation tools accessible to a broader audience.
The launch of Jimeng AI and similar models by other Chinese companies marks a significant expansion in the availability of AI-generated video technology, potentially transforming content creation across various industries. This democratisation of advanced video tools enables individual content creators and large enterprises to produce high-quality video content efficiently. Lowering the barriers to sophisticated video production drives innovation and creativity, resulting in unique and diverse video content on various platforms. This shift may also prompt further advancements and competition within the AI technology sector, pushing the boundaries of these tools’ capabilities.
