Microsoft has quietly rolled out a new feature within its Bing mobile app: an AI-powered video creation tool fueled by OpenAI’s Sora. Dubbed Bing Video Creator, the tool allows users to generate short video clips from simple text prompts. The unexpected anomaly here is the accessiblity: Microsoft is offering this functionality to all Bing users free of charge, a stark contrast to OpenAI’s current model of restricting Sora access to paid subscribers of ChatGPT. This immediate reaction from Microsoft seeks to democratize access to advanced AI video generation, but several lingering questions remain about its impact and limitations.
The integration arrives mere months after the launch of Copilot Search within Bing, marking a continued push to enhance the app’s capabilities with AI. To access the feature, users need to tap the menu button at the bottom right of the Bing app’s homescreen and select “Video Creator” from the ‘All apps’ section. From there, a simple text prompt , perhaps “a cat riding a skateboard through Times Square” , is all it takes to set Sora in motion.
Once a prompt is submitted, users can choose between two generation modes: “Standard” (free) and “Fast” (requires Microsoft Reward points after initial free uses). Even the ‘Fast’ mode isn’t particularly speedy, according to some early reports. “I tried making a video of a corgi in space,” said user @DogLover88 on X.com, “and it took nearly three hours! Still cool, but don’t expect instant gratification.”
Currently, all generated videos are five seconds long and formatted in a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. Microsoft has stated that a 16:9 format is planned for a future update, but users are currently restricted to the single option. Queuing is also limited: a maximum of three videos can be in the generation pipeline at any given time. The platform only gives you the option of selecting a premade soundtrack, rather than importing audio.
The move is a strategic one for Microsoft, positioning Bing as a frontrunner in accessible AI-driven content creation. But what does it mean for the future of video production, and are we prepared for a surge in AI-generated content?
- Accessibility: Free access to Sora-powered video creation is unprecedented.
- Formats: Currently limited to five-second, 9:16 videos.
- Generation Modes: “Standard” (free) and “Fast” (requires Microsoft Rewards points).
- Queueing: Maximum of three videos can be generated simultaneously.
- Availability: Only available on the Bing mobile app for now.
The democratisation of AI tools raises familiar but pertinent questions about authenticity and misinformation, says Dr. Anya Sharma, a professor of media studies at City University. “While the creative potential is undeniable, we need to be critically aware of the potential for misuse. Deepfakes and manipulated content are already a concern, and easy access to video generation tools could exacerbate the problem.” She goes on to warn that the potential for misuse might cause real harm to people.
The introduction hasn’t been without its hiccups. There have been several reports of the system generating videos that don’t quite match the prompts, resulting in amusing, if not somewhat bizarre, outcomes. One user posted on Facebook a clip of what was supposed to be “a majestic eagle soaring over a mountain range”, but instead showed “a pixelated chicken awkwardly flapping its wings in front of what looks like a stock photo of the Alps”.
Despite the glitches and limitations, the Bing Video Creator marks a significent step towards integrating AI more deeply into everyday creative processes. But as AI becomes more accessible, it is important to ask ourselves: What everyone might be missing, is the crucial need to develop strong media literacy skills and promote responsible usage, to ensure that these powerful tools are used ethically and constructively?
One local business owner, Maria Sanchez, expressed cautious optimism. “As a small business owner, I see the potential for creating engaging marketing content without breaking the bank. I’m very exceted about it,” she said, “but I’m also concerned about maintaining authenticity and not getting lost in a sea of AI-generated noise. There are too many chanches of things going wrong when dealing with technology.”
Some are raising concerns about content ownership. “If I use Bing Video Creator to make a clip, who owns the rights?” questioned legal blogger Kevin Riley on X.com. Microsoft’s terms of service regarding ownership and usage rights are vague, and this ambiguity could lead to legal complications down the line.
In the world of AI, progress is relentless. Whether the Bing Video Creator will be a game-changer or a passing fad remains to be seen. What’s undenaible is the shift in the landscape of content creation, and the urgent need to grapple with the ethical and societal implications of this powerfull technology.