Bing Video Creator: AI Video Generation at Your Fingertips

Microsoft is enhancing its range of AI-driven tools with the introduction of Bing Video Creator, a feature now accessible within the Bing mobile application for iOS and Android. This innovative tool enables users to produce short video clips from straightforward text prompts, utilising OpenAI’s Sora, an advanced video generation model previously available only to paying users.

This release marks the first time that Sora is available to the general public for free, a result of Microsoft’s expanding partnership with OpenAI, into which the technology giant has invested billions. Earlier in 2023, Microsoft had already integrated OpenAI’s image generator DALL·E into Bing, and the launch of Sora follows this path.

Accessing Bing Video Creator

At its inception, Bing Video Creator can only be used on mobile devices, with desktop support and Copilot Search anticipated to come shortly. Users can access this feature by selecting the new “Video Creator” button in the app menu or by entering commands like “Create a video of…” directly into the search field.

Video Specifications and Usage

The AI-driven tool currently produces 5-second videos in a vertical 9:16 format, which is compatible with platforms such as Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Microsoft has confirmed plans to include a horizontal 16:9 aspect ratio in the near future. Users can queue up to three videos simultaneously and will receive notifications when their clips are ready, although the production times may vary greatly, even when opting for the “Fast” mode.

Initially, users benefit from 10 complimentary Fast video generations. Subsequent Fast generations can be accessed by redeeming 100 Microsoft Rewards points per video, which can be accumulated through Bing searches or shopping via the Microsoft Store. Standard generations, which are slower, remain free but can take hours to be completed.

Feedback from the Bing Team

The Bing team stated that whether users are unlocking their creative potential, narrating a story, or seeking the ideal video to convey their thoughts, Bing Video Creator empowers users with the simplicity of video production at their command.

Videos created through this tool will be stored for 90 days before being automatically erased, prompting users to download and share their masterpieces promptly.

Challenges and Competition

The broader rollout of Sora arrives following a rocky introduction, which included criticism from YouTube’s CEO concerning potential training data issues and feedback from early users. Simultaneously, competition in the AI video domain is intensifying, with models like Google’s Veo 3 presenting increasingly sophisticated features.

Regardless, Microsoft’s initiative to make AI video creation freely available could represent a pivotal move towards making generative media tools more accessible, similar to what it achieved with AI-generated images two years prior.