"Pika Tests OpenAI and Sora with New Features in Its AI Video Generator."
Pika 2.0 combines uploaded images to create coherent videos.
Pika has launched version 2.0 of its AI video creator, which includes advanced personalization tools. This update allows users to upload and modify characters, objects, and scenarios through a new feature called Scene Ingredients. Unlike OpenAI's Sora, Pika 2.0 primarily targets individuals and small groups rather than focusing on large studios.
This new release from Pika comes shortly after the company launched version 1.5, which already introduced a variety of visual effects. In a nod to its competitor, Pika 2.0 is marketed as "Not just for professionals. For real people. (Even Europeans!)", thus highlighting Sora's business orientation and its limited availability in some countries, excluding Europe.
Among the new features in Pika 2.0, Scene Ingredients is the standout. This tool allows users to select different video elements such as characters, backgrounds, and other accessories from a sort of "virtual kitchen." For example, if you want to create a clip of a cat surfing in space, you can simply upload a photo of your favorite cat, an image of a starry sky, and another of a surfboard, and Pika's AI will merge everything into a coherent scene.
Additionally, Pika 2.0 improves the understanding of textual prompts, meaning that the output will be more accurate and aligned with user expectations. If requested to depict a dragon flying over a medieval castle at sunset, for example, the AI will be capable of generating an image that truly fits that description, showing a flying dragon, a plausible castle, and an authentic sunset, without the typical misinterpretation errors.
Pika's approach is to simplify video creation for the average user, avoiding unnecessary complexity. This proposal aims to attract those who want to make clips for platforms like TikTok or marketing videos for personal projects. However, Pika is not the only competitor in the market; there are other AI video platforms like Pollo, Runway, and Stability AI that also offer innovative options for emerging filmmakers.
Pika 2.0 is available for both free and paid users, although the free option has some limitations. Users can also choose to revert to previous versions if they wish.
