China’s Reaction to OpenAI’s AI Video Generating Tool – Impressed and Worried
The recent release of OpenAI’s innovative text-to-video generator, Sora, has sparked a mix of amazement and concern within the Chinese tech community. This cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool has been described as a game-changer, with one Chinese entrepreneur likening it to a pivotal moment in AI development, similar to a Newton moment.
Sora, unveiled just last week, allows users to effortlessly create dynamic and lifelike videos using simple text prompts. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to disrupt multiple industries, including advertising, entertainment, education, and healthcare. Chinese experts have been particularly impressed by the tool’s ability to seamlessly integrate text and video generation, producing stunning visuals that look incredibly natural.
Despite the excitement surrounding Sora, there are also growing apprehensions within China’s tech sector. Zhou Hongyi, chairman and CEO of 360 Security Technology, expressed concerns on Weibo about the widening gap between China and the US in AI development. He speculated that if OpenAI is developing undisclosed secret weapons, this technological disparity could further widen.
Zhou pointed out that while China’s leading large language models (LLMs) are on par with the capabilities of GPT-3.5, there remains a noticeable time lag of approximately 1.5 years between China’s current models and the upcoming release of GPT-4 by OpenAI in March 2023.
Some Chinese entrepreneurs, however, remain cautious about overstating the capabilities of Chinese AI. Fang Han, CEO of Kunlun Tech, expressed skepticism in an interview with the government-run Shang Securities News. He suggested that based on the demo videos of Sora, the system has yet to make significant advancements in understanding the world.
Furthermore, the United States has imposed strict restrictions on the export of semiconductor tools, hindering Chinese companies’ access to cutting-edge technology. These limitations, aimed at products utilizing US-origin technology, have intensified over time. In response to earlier restrictions, the US recently barred mainland China’s access to specific graphics processing units (GPUs) produced by Nvidia for Chinese clients.
The release of OpenAI’s Sora has undeniably made waves in the Chinese tech landscape, drawing both praise and concern from industry leaders. As this innovative tool continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how it will impact the global AI industry and shape the future of technology.
