Welcome to Tech in Asia’s daily newsletter, your essential dose of Asia’s tech and startup buzz. Not yet a subscriber? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.
In focus
- Asia’s AI video ecosystem is bigger than you think
- Goodbye to proof on camera
- ShopBack’s cashback now redeemable in-store in Hong Kong
Hello reader,
I’ve been seeing more AI-generated videos on Threads recently, courtesy of OpenAI’s Sora. The app has crossed 1 million downloads despite being invite-only at the moment.
What’s funny is how some users treat these videos as real footage when Sora’s watermark is clearly visible. Even funnier are the replies from people who seem to believe the videos are genuine, presumably mistaking Sora for just another video editing app rather than an AI video generator.
Say what you will about AI slop, but the appeal of these videos probably lies in how much fun people are having with them.
And if you think AI videos are purely recreational, think again. Businesses are using specialized AI video tools designed for operational needs, and many of these platforms come from Asia.
As today’s Big Story reveals, Asian companies are carving out distinct niches in this space. These startups are building for specific, valuable use cases, from AI avatars that star in promotional videos to tools that help developers generate polished software tutorials from rough screen recordings.
Beyond business applications, Asia is also leading in consumer-facing alternatives to Sora. Platforms like PixVerse, MiniMax’s Hailuo AI, and Kling from Kuaishou have endless feeds of AI videos that you can watch, remix, and recreate instantly, powered by in-house models.
The numbers tell an interesting story, too: Tech in Asia data shows that the majority of AI video startups in the region were founded before ChatGPT’s November 2022 launch.
Still, the trend suggests that the region’s AI video boom isn’t just riding the generative AI hype wave. Instead, it’s been building momentum for years, fueled by homegrown video platform expertise from companies like ByteDance and Kuaishou.
With collective funding reaching US$13.8 billion over the past decade, Asia’s AI video scene is one to watch.
Glenn Kaonang, journalist
The Big Story
The startups powering Asia’s AI-generated video boom
Spotlight
Trending news
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
