China’s Zhipu AI Striving to Develop Sora-Like Technology as Pathway to AGI

Zhipu AI, a prominent AI company in China, has articulated its aspiration to develop technology akin to Sora, OpenAI’s groundbreaking text-to-video generator, in its pursuit of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). This ambitious endeavor highlights China’s resolve to keep pace with advancements in the United States.

The highly anticipated text-to-video generator, Sora, by OpenAI, is scheduled for public release later this year. However, it will not be accessible in China, prompting Chinese companies such as Zhipu AI to intensify their efforts to bridge the gap and remain competitive in this rapidly evolving field.

Zhang Peng, the CEO of Zhipu AI, has affirmed the company’s dedication to developing technology similar to Sora, stating, “About the advent of Sora, first we’re not surprised, second, we’re also working on [similar technology].” This statement reflects their determination to match the progress made by their US counterparts.

Peng also acknowledged the advancements made by Sora, praising its multi-modal capabilities as “very state-of-the-art.” Despite the current technological gap, Zhipu AI is unwavering in its dedication to closing that distance through consistent hard work and innovation.

Established in June 2019, Zhipu AI was among the first Chinese companies to delve into the development of large language models (LLMs), which are the backbone of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar services. This early involvement has positioned them as a formidable player in the race for AI supremacy.

Furthermore, Zhipu AI’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the company recently announced a significant fundraising achievement of 2.5 billion yuan (US$342 million). This funding was provided by a consortium of major Chinese tech companies and venture capital firms, further demonstrating the industry’s confidence in Zhipu AI’s potential.

Backed by influential entities such as Alibaba Group Holding, Tencent Holdings, Meituan, and Xiaomi, as well as venture capital firms including GL Ventures and HongShan, Zhipu AI has solidified its position as a prominent figure in the AI landscape.

Adding to their accomplishments, Zhipu AI released ChatGLM, their answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which was among the first generative AI services approved for public release in China. This move marked a significant milestone for the company and showcased their commitment to innovation in the AI sector.

Despite the regulatory challenges in China, which require local AI services to obtain permits before public release and impose restrictions on foreign chatbots, Zhipu AI remains determined to expand its influence beyond domestic borders. The company’s CEO, Zhang Peng, expressed his optimism about collaborating with foreign firms on AI technologies and has set his sights on entering overseas markets.

Zhipu AI’s relentless pursuit of AGI and commitment to technological innovation positions them as a noteworthy contender in the global AI race. With substantial financial backing and a forward-thinking approach, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the future of artificial intelligence.