The Fusion of AI and Art: Exploring Sora’s Impact

In today’s highly intelligent and digital age, we can certainly foresee that the combination of AI and art will present unprecedented innovations and possibilities.

More and more artists are beginning to use AI as a tool, and in the future, we can foresee how powerful Sora will be as a creative tool. From generative art to art creation assistance, AI is becoming a powerful assistant for artists, providing them with new ideas and sources of inspiration. Through artworks generated by artificial intelligence, people can break through the traditional creative limitations and explore more abstract and avant-garde forms of artistic expression.

However, the combination of artificial intelligence and art also raises some profound questions. Is there still the artist’s inspiration and emotion behind AI-generated artworks?Can artificial intelligence truly understand the connotation of art and emotional expression? These questions challenge people’s understanding of the essence of artistic creation. In response, artists and AI practitioners have also shared their feelings.

What is your perspective on Sora? What makes you curious about it?

In the field of technological innovation, Sora is a remarkable and enigmatic presence, and it is also an unavoidable topic in the recent discussions among AI creators—Sora is like a gateway, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of AI-generated video software and its potential impact on creative expression, design, and artistic practice. As a designer, artist, and AI enthusiast, based on the information currently available, Sora is set to break the boundaries of visual storytelling, blurring the lines between human creativity and machine intelligence. However, along with this promise comes a series of questions and uncertainties, prompting a whirlwind of feedback regarding AI’s capabilities, impacts, and potential effects on the creative landscape.

How do you think Sora differs from existing AI-generated video software on the market?

When comparing Sora with existing AI-generated video software on the market, several key differences emerge. While many AI video tools focus on specific tasks such as video editing or visual effects, Sora stands out with its comprehensive approach to video creation, providing a seamless and intuitive platform for generating high-quality video content from scratch. Additionally, Sora’s advanced AI algorithms and deep learning capabilities set it apart from other software, enabling it to create realistic animations and dynamic visual sequences with extraordinary realism and precision. As an AI researcher, I have experience trying various AI video/image software tools (Runway, Comfyui, Svd, Pika), and while they showcase impressive features, none can match the complexity and versatility of the Sora beta video.

Sora is currently in beta testing. What are your thoughts on the beta videos that have leaked online? Which segment do you like the most?

The beta videos circulating online provide a glimpse into Sora’s potential, showcasing its ability to generate captivating visual narratives and immersive storytelling experiences. The seamless integration of AI-generated elements with real-world footage creates a sense of wonder and possibility, hinting at the transformative impact Sora could have on architecture, design, and visual arts. Personally, I particularly enjoy the segments featuring paper airplanes swimming in the sea and the latest one where a universe is poured into a coffee pot, both showcasing astonishing imagination and execution.

As an artist, how do you think Sora will integrate with art or related industries in the future?

Looking ahead, I envision Sora playing a transformative role in architecture, design, and art, fundamentally changing the way we conceptualize, visualize, and communicate ideas. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to generate realistic and dynamic visual effects, Sora has the potential to streamline design processes, foster collaboration, and push the boundaries of creativity.

From architectural renderings to immersive art installations, Sora’s integration with these industries is expected to unlock new possibilities for innovation and expression, breaking down barriers across various fields.

Do you think the current related industries will be impacted? Will Sora make our lives better?

The emergence of Sora will have a tremendous and profound impact on related industries. (Based on current information) From film production, advertising to architecture and design, by automating labor-intensive tasks and empowering creatives with new tools and technologies, Sora is highly likely to revolutionize workflows, enhance productivity, and open up new avenues for artistic exploration. The democratization of AI-generated video software can increase the accessibility and diversity of visual storytelling, amplifying previously marginalized or overlooked voices and perspectives. The full impact of Sora remains to be seen, but its emergence promises to enrich our lives, making them more vibrant and creative.

What is your perspective on Sora? What makes you curious about it?

I am very excited about the emergence of Sora. I have long had a strong interest in cyber life, so I have been closely following various artificial intelligences with learning, adaptation, and evolution capabilities. I eagerly await the arrival of the technological “singularity.” The emergence of Sora represents a significant advancement in the field of AI visuals, and I am looking forward to what new developments the future will bring.

I often imagine the forms of future life, as reflected in my recent work, “Electronic Eucharist.” The future forms of life may no longer be carbon-based organisms that exist in the real world, but rather a state of carbon-silicon community as depicted in the cyber life declaration, which will usher in a whole new world.

How do you think Sora differs from existing AI-generated video software on the market? Have you experienced any existing software on the market? Can you share your AI-generated works?

Compared to existing AI-generated video software on the market such as Runway and Stable Diffusion, Sora’s uniqueness lies in its ability to exhibit the physical laws of the real world. For AI to present realistic visual effects, it needs to “understand” the real world in order to accurately present the relationships and interactions between objects.

As a new media artist, I have been exploring the intersection of technology and art. Since the emergence of the StyleGAN model in 2020, I have been contemplating the relationship between AI technology and humanity, and using AI for creation. For example, I developed the “Infinite Species Generator,” an interactive website. Biologists state that one species on Earth goes extinct every 19 minutes. On the “Infinite Species Generator” website, a brand new species image that does not exist in the Earth’s ecosystem is generated every 19 minutes based on the database of Earth’s organisms, and they are named. This project has existed in the virtual world for over a year. The year before last, I used the thousands of photos of virtual species generated by this website to train my machine learning model, “Infinite Species Generator,” using StyleGAN2. Later, with the emergence of AI image generation platforms such as the SD model and Runway, I also upgraded this project. I will continue this artistic project as technology evolves.

Sora is currently in beta testing. What are your thoughts on the beta videos that have leaked online? Which segment do you like the most?

When I first saw the beta videos, I was quite shocked, although I also realized that there are still some unresolved issues. From Joseph Beuys saying “Everyone is an artist,” to now, everyone can be a content creator. Perhaps in the near future, with the popularization of various AI-generated technologies, everyone will be able to independently create a movie at a low cost, which is undoubtedly exciting. However, what comes along is not just the tools and technology, but the oldest question will resurface: what should we express? What unique observations, emotions, experiences, or stories do we have to share?

How do you view Sora’s impact on traditional video production?

I will continue to closely monitor the development of Sora and other artificial intelligence technologies. As an artist, I not only consider using new technologies for creation but also pay attention to the relationship between new technologies and individuals and society. I may create from the perspective of ethical issues in the age of artificial intelligence, provoking thoughts about the future development of technology and the coexistence of humanity and AI technology.

Do you think the current related industries will be impacted? Will Sora make our lives better?

The art industry I belong to is extremely sensitive to changes in the times and will definitely respond to the latest visual AI technology like Sora from different perspectives. Historically, technology itself does not necessarily make life better, but how we utilize these powerful technologies will determine our future direction. Artificial intelligence may shape a new world, but it can never replace our individual life experiences.

What is your perspective on Sora? What makes you curious about it?

The emergence of Sora is undoubtedly the most significant news this Spring Festival. After watching the introduction and corresponding short films about Sora, I was deeply touched. I believe the birth of Sora may have a profound impact, similar to the advent of the first computer in human history, and I hold a positive and expectant attitude toward this. Since the emergence of ChatGPT last year, terms like AI, computing power, the metaverse, and artificial intelligence have been presented to people in a concrete form. This cross-domain shift is not gradual but generational. I believe that in the near future, everyone can use artificial intelligence to realize their wishes—through AI, we can present ideas that could only be expressed in words and text in the form of videos. From this perspective, everyone can become a “playwright” or “director” to tell their own stories.

How do you think Sora differs from existing AI-generated video software on the market? Have you experienced any existing software on the market? Can you share your AI-generated works?

The technical and theoretical aspects are not my forte; I can only evaluate from an intuitive perspective: from the short films and reviews released by Sora, its smoothness, granularity, and liveliness seem to be superior to other tools. Moreover, I believe that with continuous breakthroughs in technology, more similar tools will emerge and become “user-friendly.” Since last year, I have started using Midjourney combined with spatial design for some attempts. I feel that Midjourney is more suitable for “brainstorming” design inspirations.

From the perspective of art and installation design, how do you think Sora will integrate with your industry in the future?

What we are discussing today is not just “a” tool, but a synonym for a large category of implementations that combine AI algorithms with visual presentation. I think the visual presentation interface should not be limited to mobile screens, cinema screens, or smart glasses… The integration with physical spaces and naked-eye realism will be an interesting direction. In my understanding, teamLab is a pioneer in this field—they combine visual, auditory, tactile, and even olfactory elements with space and installations to create a stunning immersive spatial experience. With the development of technology, immersive spaces have begun to emerge in China, such as theaters, escape rooms, bars, nightclubs, and wellness spaces. Just last week, we received an invitation to design a theme park for a domestic metaverse company.

Sora is currently in beta testing. What are your thoughts on the beta videos that have leaked online? Which segment do you like the most?

The video footage of Sora is delicate, the camera work is vivid, and the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. My favorite segment from these videos is a close-up of a girl blinking—within that brief blink, her gaze is so real, shifting from uncertainty to determination, as if we are looking towards the future.

Do you think the current related industries will be impacted? Will Sora make our lives better?

The emergence of every new tool will have a huge impact on existing industries. For example, in ancient times, there were professions specifically for writing letters because literacy was not widespread, and not everyone could write, leading to this demand and the birth of this profession. However, as education became more widespread, everyone learned to write, and the original job disappeared.

Today, with the emergence of tools like Midjourney and Sora, as technology improves and tools become more accessible, I believe there will be a tremendous upheaval in the traditional design industry, but at the same time, new opportunities and vitality will arise—using the previous example: once everyone can write, the demand for writing will still exist, and thus, more pens, ink, and paper will be needed; even though more people can write, calligraphers will still have their own space and cannot be replaced. Ultimately, I certainly believe that the emergence of Sora will make our lives better, although it may also give rise to new dangers, but overall, it is a positive development.

What is your perspective on Sora? What makes you curious about it?

As an AI practitioner, I hold a relatively positive view of Sora because I need to integrate AI video production tools like Sora into products in the future. Therefore, my answers below will inevitably contain 100% bias, for reference only! I will try to balance and supplement some of my thoughts as a designer.

My industry belongs to the AI application layer, which means that after the bottom-layer large model companies provide the raw materials, we process the raw materials into products to push to the market. For me, what I am most curious about is how users perceive Sora; the technological innovations brought by AI have given many users agency. Some clients approach us based on their industry, asking whether it is possible to integrate AI tools similar to Sora into their workflows, something we had never considered before they brought it up.

How do you think Sora differs from existing AI-generated video software on the market? How does your work relate to AI? Can you share your AI-generated works?

I have used almost all AI video generation tools on the market. My most recent use was when I took a simple linear gradient image created by a colleague in Figma and threw it into Runway to generate a gradient animation, turning it into a gif for use as the background on our website www.dxpos.co, taking only 2 minutes in total. As designers, we have gradually started using AI creative tools to assist in production. Runway and Pika are already qualified as productivity tools to some extent, and the disruption brought by Sora is evident; the underlying algorithms used by the former tools are completely different from Sora, and there are very detailed technical documentation analyses of Sora available online.

Sora’s beta videos that have leaked online, what are your thoughts? Which segment do you like the most?

The leaked beta videos are very shocking. I am not very concerned about the “truth” dimension of the beta videos because the “truth” of AI has been evolving in my cognition since the end of 2022, and I have had enough time to digest it. However, many people are seeing Sora’s videos for the first time, so the shock regarding reality is very strong.

This segment is my favorite; most AI-generated products, when given prompts, I have a rough image in my mind, and I look for the closest or even better image through repeated generations. However, when I saw this segment on X, I couldn’t imagine that Sora would generate such a video. For humans, art should always be great and scarce, but Sora can easily create an image that might require the collaboration of a director, artist, and animator, something they might not even conceive! This frightens me. Midjourney has already brought us a shock in images, and Sora’s video continues to deliver that impact.

As an AI practitioner with a background in architecture, what impact do you think Sora will have in the future? How will it integrate with architecture or design?

Having had the opportunity to participate in many different types of design projects across fields, I sincerely advise artists/designers to engage with AI as much as possible, embrace it, master its use, and let it work for you while maintaining your style and original intention. Accepting AI is like accepting computer graphics back in the day; the architectural industry has seen the emergence of CAD and SketchUP, and the design industry has seen the emergence of PS and Figma. All tools are just tools, and they will continue to evolve. The question of how to integrate this is quite broad, and I cannot make any predictions. The future of humanity needs designers from all walks of life to explore together. For me, designing products for the future is an exciting endeavor. In my field, I will try to apply tools like Sora in advertising production, and other industries will certainly have their practitioners actively responding to the integration of new technologies.

Do you think the current related industries will be impacted? Will Sora make our lives better?

There will definitely be impacts, not just from Sora, but from the series of AI tools and production methods that Sora represents, which will gradually change our way of life in the future. Perhaps the effects won’t be immediately apparent for our generation, but for the next and the generation after that… just like the day the iPhone opened up touch-screen phones. Beauty is not defined by Sora; it is defined by each individual. No technology can completely determine the goodness or badness of human life.Wishing everyone a beautiful life, both now and in the future!