Microsoft has unveiled a new AI video generator within its Bing mobile app, leveraging OpenAI's cutting-edge Sora text-to-video model. This innovative feature, announced on Monday, provides users with a free method to create short video clips, a service that is typically part of ChatGPT subscriptions starting at $20 per month for Plus users.
In its announcement, Microsoft stated, “Bing Video Creator represents our efforts to democratize the power of AI video generation.” The tech giant emphasized that “creativity should be effortless and accessible,” aiming to assist users in their quest for information by enabling them to transform their words into captivating AI-generated videos.
The Bing Video Creator is currently being rolled out globally, with the exception of China and Russia. It is available on the Bing Search apps for both Android and iPhone, with desktop and Copilot Search support expected to arrive soon. Users can easily access the video generator by navigating to the menu located at the bottom right corner of the Bing app or by inputting a description of the desired video directly into the Bing search bar.
Microsoft allows users to queue up to three video generations simultaneously, and a notification will be sent when the clips are ready. Users can opt for a “Standard” generation speed, which is free for all, or choose a “Fast” option that produces videos “in seconds.” Initially, users can enjoy up to 10 Fast generations for free; after that, they will need to revert to Standard speed or redeem 100 Microsoft Rewards points for each additional Fast generation.
The generated videos are five seconds long and presented in a 9:16 vertical format, with plans to support 16:9 format video creation in the future. Once created, these videos will be stored on the Bing app for up to 90 days, allowing users to download or share them across various platforms.
While the example videos released by Microsoft showcase the capabilities of the AI video generator, they fall short compared to the quality demonstrated by other models, such as Google’s Veo 3. For instance, the movements in the otter chef and sweeping hamster demos exhibit unnatural clipping, and the characters occasionally appear overly cartoonish. However, based on our experience experimenting with Sora since its launch in December 2024, these examples are a more accurate representation of the video model's potential than the polished clips previously teased by OpenAI.
Overall, Microsoft’s introduction of the Bing Video Creator marks a significant step towards making AI video creation accessible to the general public, empowering users to unleash their creativity effortlessly.
