OpenAI has once again caused a stirThis time with Sora, a text-to-video AI model that allows you to generate impressive videos from just a few words. The euphoria is great, and in the USA and other countries you can already get started. But for us in Europe there is bad news: Sora is not available here for now. Let's take a closer look at why this is the case and what Sora can do.
What Sora can do: Videos, animations and more
Sora is a versatile tool that creates videos with just one text input - from abstract animations to realistic scenes. What's special is how intuitive and fast it all works. You type a few words and in a few seconds it becomes a video. Here are some of the impressive features:
- text-to-video: Simple prompts are used to generate scenes that you can design according to your ideas.
- Animate images: Upload an image and Sora will turn it into an animation – perfect for creating memes or creative content.
- remix function: Want to change a video? A new text prompt lets you add elements, change colors, or adjust details.
- storyboards: Plan longer sequences by stringing together several scenes to tell complete stories.
The maximum resolution of 1080p and the ability to download videos without watermarks (depending on the subscription) make Sora particularly attractive – at least if you are in the US.
Why is Sora not available in Europe (yet)?
One of the biggest disappointments for us here: Sora is currently not available in Germany and the EU. OpenAI has not given any concrete details on this, but there are plausible reasons why we have to wait:
- Strict regulations: The EU has high requirements for data protection and the use of AI tools. It may be that OpenAI does not yet meet these requirements.
- copyright issues: AI models often use publicly available data for training. However, in the EU, the limits on copyrighted material are tighter.
- moderation and security: OpenAI has stressed that the platform was deliberately launched “conservatively” to prevent abuse. The moderation systems may not yet be ready for a wider market rollout.
These hurdles could explain why Sora is still a long way off in Europe.
The Weaknesses of Sora: Where the AI Reaches Its Limits
As fascinating as Sora is, it does have its weaknesses - especially when it comes to realistic movements and physics. A closer look reveals some typical problems:
- object permanence: Things suddenly disappear or appear out of nowhere. This is a clear indication of AI origin.
- physics error: Movements often appear unnatural. For example, walking figures look strange because the legs are incorrectly "swapped".
- speed problems: Parts of a video run in slow motion while others appear normal – destroying the illusion.
These weaknesses are particularly obvious in photorealistic videos.In cartoon or stop-motion styles, however, they are less important because unnatural movements are more likely to be perceived as artistic.
What Sora does really well
Despite these weaknesses, there are areas where Sora is really good. It's amazing what is possible with the right input:
- Abstract Animations: Sora creates stunning patterns, colors and movements that are perfect for backgrounds or art projects.
- cartoon and stop-motion styles: This is where it shows its strengths, as the irregularities are less noticeable.
- Creative titles: With Sora you can create animated intros or slides that look professional.
Another highlight is the ability to browse other users' videos and use the prompts as inspiration. This way, you can quickly learn what is possible with the AI.
Security and Ethics: How OpenAI Protects Sora
OpenAI has gone to great lengths to make Sora safe and ethical. This starts with visible watermarks and C2PA metadata that make it clear that a video was created with AI. In addition, there are strict upload rules: content with violence, minors or copyrighted material is taboo. And anyone who violates these rules risks being banned.
Of course, these security measures are not perfect. There is still the possibility of removing watermarks or misusing content. But OpenAI is working to continuously improve the platform's usability.
What could Sora mean to you?
Sora has the potential to revolutionize video production. You don't need expensive tools or special knowledge to create creative content. The platform offers completely new possibilities, especially for social media creators, small businesses or creative minds. Imagine being able to create animated product videos, impressive presentations or unique social media clips in minutes - and without a big budget.
A look into the future: What's next for Sora?
Sora is just the beginning. OpenAI will continue to improve the technology - we have already seen this with other AI tools such as ChatGPT or DALL·E. What can we expect?
- More realistic movements: Future updates may fix the physics and object permanence issues.
- Longer videos: Currently it stops at 20 seconds, but that could change.
- audio support: A next logical step would be to integrate sound to create complete video content.
Whether Sora will launch in Europe remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this tool has the potential to fundamentally change the way we produce videos.
Conclusion
Sora shows how powerful AI tools already are - and in a way that is creative and accessible. While we still have to wait for the launch in Germany and the EU, it is worth keeping an eye on developments. Imagine what would be possible if this tool became accessible here too.
