OpenAI Expands Sora2 Access Amid Rising Costs
OpenAI Launches Wider Sora2 Testing While Addressing Cost Challenges
OpenAI has removed invitation requirements for its Sora2 video generation tool, making it available for direct download in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. This marks the platform's first major expansion and initial entry into Asian markets.
Limited-Time Accessibility
The company emphasizes this open access period serves dual purposes:
- Server stress testing under real user loads
- Gathering user feedback before potential wider rollout
"This opening is time-limited," an OpenAI spokesperson confirmed. "We may reinstate invitation codes depending on system performance."
The Computational Cost Dilemma
The expansion comes despite significant operational challenges:
- Generating a 10-second video consumes GPU resources equivalent to thousands of ChatGPT queries
- Estimated computation costs range between $0.50-$2.00 per generation
- Current free tier allows 30 daily videos per user
To address these constraints, OpenAI introduced:
- Paid credit packs: $4 for 10 additional generations
- Plans for a "Sora Economy" monetization framework
The latter would enable copyright holders to license digital likenesses with usage-based pricing and revenue sharing.
Strategic Implications
Industry analysts highlight three key developments:
- Commercial acceleration: Transition from pure research to sustainable business models
- Copyright innovation: New frameworks for AI-generated content rights management
- Market positioning: Securing foothold in competitive video generation space before rivals scale similar offerings
The moves come as global demand for AI video tools grows exponentially across entertainment, marketing, and education sectors.
Key Points:
- Sora2 now available without invites in four countries
- High computation costs driving monetization efforts
- "Sora Economy" could reshape digital content licensing
- Asian market entry signals global expansion strategy
