La inversión de inicio de América del Norte alcanzó los $ 82 mil millones en el primer trimestre, impulsada por el continuo entusiasmo en torno a la IA generativa.

La cuenta Q1 representaba el nivel de financiación trimestral más alto en tres años. Sin embargo, casi la mitad del total provino de un solo acuerdo récord: el financiamiento de $ 40 mil millones liderado por SoftBank para OpenAI anunciado el 31 de marzo.

Más allá de esa ronda gigante de la etapa tardía, la financiación disminuyó en otras categorías. La inversión en etapa temprana y de semillas disminuyó. Los recuentos de ronda informados también cayeron en las etapas.

Para perspectiva, trazamos totales de inversión, codificados por colores por el escenario, durante los últimos nueve cuartos a continuación.

También miramos rondas reportadas durante el mismo período.

Por supuesto, el capital de riesgo no se trata solo de poner dinero en nuevas empresas. Los inversores de inicio también esperan rendimientos cuando las empresas salen a público o se adquieren. Y con esta métrica, Q1 no estaba demasiado mal, con la adquisición de inicio más grande de la historia (la compra de Wiz de $ 32 mil millones planificada de Google) y el debut del mercado de CoreWeave en una OPI que recaudó $ 1.5 mil millones.

A continuación, echaremos un vistazo con más detalle en la inversión por etapa, así como profundizaremos en la actividad de M&A e IPO para el trimestre.

Tabla de contenido

Crecimiento de la etapa y tecnología tardía

Comenzaremos con la etapa tardía, ya que ahí es donde va la mayor parte del dinero.

Para el primer trimestre, los inversores pusieron $ 66.4 mil millones en acuerdos de etapa tardía y de crecimiento para empresas estadounidenses y canadienses, según los datos de CrunchBase. Eso es aproximadamente los niveles del año anterior cuádruple, y más del 50% desde el trimestre anterior, como se registra a continuación.

Como señalamos anteriormente, la mayor parte del total en etapa tardía provino del financiamiento récord de $ 40 mil millones de OpenAi. Sin embargo, hubo otras grandes rondas en la mezcla que ayudaron a aumentar los totales.

El segundo recaudador de fondos más grande en el primer trimestre fue el rival de Operai Anthrope, que recogió $ 3.5 mil millones en una Serie E de marzo, así como $ 1 mil millones en un financiamiento de enero respaldado por Google.

Un poco más atrás estaba la startup de realidad aumentada Infinite Reality, que bloqueó un financiamiento de $ 3 mil millones en enero con una valoración de $ 12.25 mil millones.

Etapa temprana

Si bien los dólares en etapa tardía fluyeron, la inversión en etapa inicial se debilitó en el primer trimestre, ya que los inversores pusieron un estimado de $ 12.4 mil millones para trabajar en la Serie A y la Serie B.

Como se registra a continuación, Q1 marca el punto más bajo en cinco trimestres tanto para la inversión total como para los recuentos de rondas.

A pesar de que la financiación general disminuyó, sin embargo, vimos algunas rondas excepcionalmente grandes en la mezcla.

Apptronik, un desarrollador de robots humanoides de propósito general, recogió la ronda de etapa temprana más grande del trimestre, una serie de febrero de $ 403 millones A.

El siguiente fue juntos IA, un proveedor de infraestructura para desarrollar modelos de IA que recaudó una Serie B de $ 305, seguido de Kardigan, un desarrollador de drogas cardiovascular que obtuvo $ 300 millones en fondos de la Serie A.

Semilla

El primer trimestre tampoco fue un período particularmente robusto para la inversión de semillas.

Los inversores pusieron a trabajar un total de $ 3.2 mil millones a través de 1,016 rondas de semillas y pre-semillas reportadas en el primer trimestre. Esa es, con mucho, la cuenta más baja en años, por los dólares invertidos y los recuentos de rondas totales.

Para una perspectiva más cercana, trazamos la inversión de semillas y los recuentos de acuerdos durante los últimos cinco trimestres a continuación.

Dado que no es raro que los acuerdos de semillas se informen semanas o meses después de que cierren, esperaremos que los totales Q1 se eleven un poco con el tiempo. Sin embargo, es poco probable que esto altere la historia más amplia de la menor inversión en esta etapa.

Aproximadamente un cuarto de todos los fondos iniciales para el trimestre provienen de solo dos acuerdos: Lila Sciences, desarrolladora de una plataforma impulsada por IA para la investigación científica, obtuvo un financiamiento de semillas de $ 200 millones en marzo; Y SIMBLETER, una startup de infraestructura de blockchain, obtuvo $ 50 millones en febrero.

AI

Con gran parte de la financiación total de la empresa yendo a la inteligencia artificial, también echamos un vistazo a cómo se desempeñó este espacio durante el trimestre.

No es sorprendente, dado que el acuerdo gigante de OpenAi, fue un gran trimestre para la financiación relacionada con la IA, con más de $ 54 mil millones al espacio. Como puede ver en la tabla a continuación, es para el total más grande que hemos visto.

Salidas

El primer trimestre también fue un período relativamente fuerte para las salidas.

Como hemos narrado anteriormente, Q1 nos trajo un acuerdo de fusiones y adquisiciones que establecen récords y una de las OPI tecnológicas más grandes en algún tiempo. En total, parecía evidencia convincente de que el ambiente de salida se está calentando. (Aunque el mercado empinado de esta semana se desliza después de las fuertes gravámenes arancelarios podría detener ese impulso).

MAMÁ

La actividad de adquisición fue particularmente fuerte en Q1.

En el transcurso del trimestre, los adquirentes anunciaron planes para comprar al menos 10 compañías estadounidenses respaldadas por la empresa por $ 1 mil millones o más, según la junta de salidas de mil millones de dólares de Crunchbase. Ese es el total más alto en los últimos tres años.

Además, la alineación de M&A del primer trimestre incluye un acuerdo récord: la compra planificada de $ 32 mil millones de Google de CyberseCurity Unicorn Wiz, anunciada en marzo. Si se consume, el acuerdo sería la adquisición más grande de una startup privada respaldada por la empresa.

A continuación, reunimos una lista de las 10 adquisiciones anunciadas más grandes del trimestre.

OPIE

El Startup IPO Market no estaba especialmente ocupado en el último trimestre. Sin embargo, vimos un debut significativo del mercado con la oferta de CoreWeave del proveedor de infraestructura de AI Cloud a fines de marzo. Después de varios días de negociación de arriba y abajo, la compañía de Nueva Jersey tenía una capitalización de mercado reciente de alrededor de $ 22 mil millones.

Otras compañías que debutaron durante el trimestre incluyeron a Metsera, un desarrollador de medicamentos para la obesidad y las enfermedades metabólicas, y la terapéutica del laberinto, una startup de medicina de precisión.

Un cuarto inusual

Por lo general, cuando miramos hacia atrás en una cuarta parte, es bastante fácil encontrar un adjetivo o dos que resume el clima de inversión de inicio. Las cosas están arriba, o están bajas. El entorno de salida se ve fuerte, o parece debilitarse.

Pero el Q1 2025 es un período inusual para clasificar. Si bien la inversión total ha aumentado, eso se debe completamente a un solo acuerdo anunciado el último día del trimestre. En la etapa inicial y temprana, los titulares de fondos apuntan más al ascensor de pesimismo de los inversores.

En cuanto a la actividad de salida, estábamos comenzando a caer más profundamente en una narración alrededor del regreso de las grandes salidas. Con las recientes presentaciones de IPO de FinTechs Klarna y Circle, el escenario también parecía establecido en el Q2.

Pero ahora, con los principales índices en camino por su mayor contracción en años a raíz de los decretos de la tarifa de la administración Trump, el entorno del mercado parece mucho menos acogedor.

Tal vez, cuando miremos hacia atrás en este período, no se destacará como el comienzo o el final de un ciclo, sino un fragmento único en el tiempo, así como una tubería de trato que refleja tanto la precaución aumentada como el FOMO persistente.

Metodología

Los datos contenidos en este informe provienen directamente de CrunchBase, y se basan en datos informados. Los datos informados son al 2 de abril de 2025.

Tenga en cuenta que los retrasos de datos son más pronunciados en las primeras etapas de la actividad de riesgo, y las cantidades de financiación de semillas aumentan significativamente después de finales de un trimestre/año.

Tenga en cuenta que todos los valores de financiación se dan en dólares estadounidenses a menos que se indique lo contrario. Crunchbase convierte las monedas extranjeras en dólares estadounidenses a la tasa spot prevaleciente a partir de las rondas de financiación de la fecha, las adquisiciones, las OPI y otros eventos financieros. Incluso si esos eventos se agregaron a Crunchbase mucho después de que se anunciara el evento, las transacciones en moneda extranjera se convierten al precio histórico.

Glosario de términos de financiación

La semilla y el ángel consisten en rondas de semillas, semillas y ángeles. Crunchbase también incluye rondas de riesgo de series desconocidas, crowdfunding de capital y notas convertibles en $ 3 millones (USD o equivalente de USD con convertido) o menos.

La etapa temprana consiste en rondas de la Serie A y Serie B, así como otros tipos de rondas. Crunchbase incluye rondas de riesgo de series desconocidas, empresas corporativas y otras rondas superiores a $ 3 millones, y aquellos menores o igual a $ 15 millones.

La etapa tardía consta de las rondas de aventuras de la Serie C, Serie D, Serie E y Letred Lettered después de la “serie [Letter]”Convención de nombres. También se incluyen rondas de riesgo de series desconocidas, empresas corporativas y otras rondas superiores a $ 15 millones. Las rondas corporativas solo se incluyen si una empresa ha recaudado un financiamiento de capital en Seed a través de una ronda de financiación de la serie de empresas.

El crecimiento de la tecnología es una ronda de capital privada planteada por una compañía que previamente ha elevado una ronda de “empresa”. (Entonces, básicamente, cualquier ronda de las etapas anteriormente definidas).

Lista relacionada de Crunchbase Pro:

Lectura relacionada:

Ilustración: Dom Guzman

On Monday, December 9, 2024, OpenAI officially launched Sora, its AI-powered video generator, for ChatGPT Pro and Plus subscribers. 

I’ll be honest: I’ve always been skeptical of AI video generators. They make bold promises of stunning visuals, effortless editing, and limitless creativity, but more often than not, they fall short. Either the videos look robotic, the transitions are clunky, or the output feels…well, AI-generated.

So when OpenAI dropped Sora, their highly anticipated AI video tool, I had to see for myself — although it has taken nearly three months for me to do this. Could it truly turn simple text prompts into seamless, high-quality videos? Or was this just another case of overhyped AI?

I spent hours testing Sora, pushing it to its limits with different prompts, analyzing the video quality, and comparing it to existing AI video tools. If you’re wondering if Sora is the real deal or just another AI experiment, you’re in the right place. 

Here’s my honest review.

TL;DR: Key takeaways from this review

• OpenAI’s Sora Video Generator offers AI-powered video creation with unique tools like Remix, Re-cut, and Storyboard.
• The interface is intuitive, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals.
• Video output quality is high, but customization options have some limitations.
• Pricing is competitive, especially with ChatGPT Plus and Pro plans.
• It’s a strong tool for quick video generation but may not replace professional-grade editing software yet.

What is Sora?

Sora is OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI-powered text-to-video generator designed to create high-quality, photorealistic videos from simple text prompts. Unlike earlier AI video tools that struggled with realism and fluidity, Sora aims to revolutionize the space by generating smooth, lifelike animations with complex backgrounds, multiple characters, and natural movements—all within a single video.

At its core, Sora takes text input and transforms it into dynamic video content using deep learning models trained on vast amounts of visual and motion data. The tool can generate videos up to 20 seconds long, ensuring consistency in characters, environments, and even lighting across different scenes.

While Sora is still not widely available to the public (unavailable in the UK and Europe), the AI-powered video generator has impressed industry experts with the ability to produce high-quality, cinematic videos, setting a new benchmark in AI-powered video generation.

How does Sora work?

Sora operates using a combination of deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP) to convert text prompts into fully animated video sequences. 

The process can be broken down into several key steps:

1. Understanding the prompt

When you input a text description (e.g., “A futuristic city at sunset with flying cars and neon signs”), Sora’s AI model first breaks it down into key components:

• Objects and characters: Identifying subjects, such as people, animals, or objects.
• Scenes and backgrounds: Recognizing the environment (urban, natural, fantasy, etc.).
• Movements and interactions: Defining how elements should behave in motion.

2. Generating visual and motion data

Unlike traditional video editing, where footage is pieced together from existing clips, Sora creates video content from scratch using its deep learning models. These models have been trained on massive datasets of videos and animations to learn realistic motion patterns and visual aesthetics.

3. Rendering the video

Sora applies its advanced diffusion models to transform raw AI-generated visuals into a polished, high-quality video. This includes:

• Generating frame-by-frame continuity to ensure smooth transitions.
• Adding realistic lighting, shadows, and textures for photorealism.
• Ensuring character consistency so that faces, clothing, and objects remain the same across different frames.

4. Editing and enhancing

Once the initial video is created, Sora allows users to refine it using tools like:

• Remix: Tweaks specific parts of the video while keeping the core structure intact.
• Re-cut: Adjusts pacing and transitions for a smoother flow.
• Storyboard: Helps structure longer narratives by generating multiple shots in sequence.

Why I tested OpenAI’s Sora

The hype surrounding OpenAI’s Sora was impossible to ignore. AI-driven video generation has been evolving rapidly, and with each new tool comes the promise of effortless, high-quality content creation. But does Sora live up to the buzz, or is it just another AI experiment that looks great in demos but falls short in real-world applications?

I wanted to find out for myself.

What was my goal?

I wasn’t just here for a quick test; I wanted to push Sora to its limits and see if it could truly revolutionize video creation for content creators, marketers, and video professionals. My focus was on three key areas:

• Ease of use: Can anyone, regardless of skill level, create impressive videos with minimal effort?
• Features and capabilities: Does Sora offer enough creative control and flexibility for professionals?
• Real-world application: Is this just a fun AI experiment, or can businesses and creators genuinely rely on it for content production?

With these questions in mind, I dove into Sora, experimenting with different prompts, testing its storytelling abilities, and analyzing the final output. 

Here’s what I discovered.

My first impressions: What makes Sora special?

Sora isn’t the first AI-powered video generator to be invented. Heavyweights like Runway Gen-3 and Kling have already set high standards, proving that AI-generated videos can be more than just stitched-together animations. But OpenAI’s approach with Sora isn’t about reinventing the wheel, it’s about refining it.

Instead of throwing another complex tool into the mix, OpenAI seems to have studied what works (and what doesn’t) in AI video generation. The result? A more intuitive, user-friendly experience is housed at sora.com.

For someone like me, who’s spent years wrestling with traditional video editing software, Sora was a breath of fresh air. No need to navigate endless menus or tweak a hundred settings just to get a simple video. Sora does the heavy lifting for you, making high-quality AI video generation accessible to both beginners and professionals alike.

Getting started: Onboarding and user experience.

Jumping into a new AI tool can sometimes feel daunting, but Sora’s onboarding process is refreshingly simple. From signing up to generating your first video, the entire experience is designed to be seamless, even if you’ve never used an AI video generator before.

Sign-up process and initial setup

Registering for Sora is straightforward. If you’re already a ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscriber, you automatically get access to Sora—no extra fees, no separate sign-ups. For new users, the process involves:

1. Logging into your OpenAI account (or creating one if you don’t have it).
2. Subscribing to ChatGPT Plus or Pro if you haven’t already.
3. Navigating to Sora.com and launching the tool directly.

The entire setup takes just a few minutes. There’s no complicated installation or software download, everything runs in the cloud.

How easy is it to use Sora?

Once you’re inside, getting started is as simple as typing a text prompt. Here’s a breakdown of how to use it:

1. Enter a prompt. Describe the video you want (e.g., “A futuristic African city skyline at sunset, with flying cars zooming by”).
2. Choose video length. Sora can generate clips up to 20 seconds long.
3. Select style preferences. Options like cinematic, animation, or realistic can help fine-tune the aesthetic.
4. Generate. Hit the create button and watch Sora bring your vision to life in seconds.
5. Edit and refine: Use tools like Remix, Re-cut, and Storyboard (more details on these later in this review) to tweak your video further.

Unlike traditional video editing, you don’t need prior experience or have to adjust lighting, frame rates, or manual transitions.

User interface: Intuitive or overwhelming?

Sora’s UI is refreshingly simple. It’s designed to eliminate friction, allowing users to focus on creativity rather than complexity.

• Clean layout. The dashboard is minimalist and well-organized, making it easy to navigate.
• Preset options. Ready-to-use templates help beginners get started quickly.
• Drag-and-drop editing. You can make adjustments without needing professional editing skills.

For beginners, it’s easy to dive in without feeling lost. For professionals, Sora’s advanced tools provide enough flexibility to refine and customize videos.

Features of Sora video generator

Sora is packed with powerful tools designed to streamline video creation, enhance storytelling, and maximize creative control. 

Here’s what makes Sora stand out:

1. Remix – Modify without starting over

Tired of regenerating an entire video just to tweak one detail? 

Remix lets you replace, remove, or reimagine specific elements without having to start from scratch. Whether it’s swapping a character’s outfit, adjusting a background element, or refining details, Remix gives you precise control over edits.

2. Re-cut – Seamless scene adjustments

Editing AI-generated videos can be tricky, but Re-cut makes it easy to isolate and extend keyframes for a smoother flow. If a scene feels too abrupt or needs an extra second of motion, Re-cut helps you fine-tune transitions without distorting the original video.

3. Storyboard — A built-in video sequencer

Think of Storyboard as a simplified version of Adobe Premiere Pro but without the steep learning curve. 

It lets users:

• Arrange clips in a timeline interface.
• Specify inputs for each frame.
• Create cohesive narratives within the app.

This feature is especially useful for marketers, educators, and storytellers who want to structure their videos without using external editing software.

4. Loop – Generate seamless repeating clips

Need a smooth, endless animation? 

Loop automatically trims and adjusts videos to create seamless repeating sequences, perfect for GIFs, animated backgrounds, and social media posts.

5. Blend – Merge two videos

Blend takes AI video generation a step further by seamlessly merging two clips into a single, cohesive video. If you’re looking to transition between scenes or combine different AI-generated elements, this tool ensures the visuals flow naturally.

6. Style Presets – Instantly apply aesthetic filters

Sora makes stylizing videos effortless with built-in presets that add a unique artistic touch:

• Film Noir – For a dramatic, cinematic look.
• Papercraft – Stop-motion-style animation.
• Abstract Visuals – Great for experimental, artsy content.

These presets make it easier to maintain a consistent theme across multiple videos.

7. Community feeds – Get inspired and share ideas

Sora integrates a social element through its Featured and Recent Feeds, where users can:

• Browse AI-generated videos for inspiration.
• View the exact prompts used to create each clip.
• Remix and modify community-shared content

This makes learning and experimenting with AI video generation more accessible, as users can build on existing ideas instead of starting from scratch.

Sora pricing 

Sora is bundled with ChatGPT subscriptions:

Note: No additional cost if you’re a ChatGPT Plus/Pro user.

My hands-on testing experience

I tested Sora for creating a promotional video, a short social media clip, and a tutorial. 

Here’s what I liked and didn’t like:

What I liked about Sora 

1. High-quality video output

Sora produces stunning, photorealistic videos that capture natural motion, lighting, and scene composition. Unlike many AI generators that struggle with consistency, Sora maintains visual coherence most of the time.

2. Intuitive controls for beginners and professionals

Sora is designed to be accessible for first-time users while still offering enough depth for experienced creators. The drag-and-drop interface, clear tooltips, and well-organized settings make it easy to get started without a steep learning curve.

3. Rapid prototyping

The speed of video generation, particularly at lower resolutions, makes Sora perfect for quick iterations. A 480p video takes less than 20 seconds to generate, allowing creators to experiment with different ideas, styles, and scripts rapidly before finalizing their projects.

4. Natural Language Processing capabilities

Sora understands context, sentiment, and meaning in text prompts, enabling it to create more accurate visual representations. If you describe a dynamic action scene or a serene landscape, Sora interprets the details effectively, leading to better prompt accuracy than many competitors.

5. Customization options

Sora allows users to tweak visual styles, animation effects, color schemes, and typography, ensuring that every video aligns with their unique branding or creative vision. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for content creators and marketers alike.

6. Collaboration tools

For teams working on marketing, educational content, or creative storytelling, Sora includes real-time editing, version control, and commenting features. This streamlines workflow and ensures seamless collaboration between multiple stakeholders.

7. Accessibility and ease of use

Sora’s user-friendly interface makes video creation accessible to both professionals and casual users. By leveraging text prompts instead of complex animation controls, it removes technical barriers, making high-quality video creation more inclusive and effortless.

What I didn’t like about Sora video generator

1. Limited customization for complex edits 

While Sora’s editing tools are impressive, they still lack the depth of professional video software like Premiere Pro or After Effects. Fine-tuning intricate transitions or advanced visual effects isn’t possible as of yet.

2. Watermark on videos

If you’re using the Plus plan of Sora, expect a watermark on all generated videos. Only Pro subscribers get clean, unbranded exports, which might be a dealbreaker for users who want professional-looking output without a subscription.

3. Ethical concerns

The rise of AI-generated videos raises ethical issues, including misinformation, deepfakes, and digital trust. OpenAI has implemented transparency measures like watermarks, but as the tech evolves, ethical oversight will be crucial.

4. Unrealistic physics

Sora somewhat struggles with physics consistency. Objects may move unnaturally, disappear, or fail to interact realistically. For instance, characters might hold an item in one scene, only for it to vanish in the next, breaking immersion.

5. High cost

Sora’s Pro plan costs $200 per month, which might be expensive for casual users or small businesses. Competing AI tools like Fliki or Runway offer cheaper or pay-as-you-go alternatives, making them more budget-friendly options.

6. Regional restrictions

Sora is not yet available in several major markets, including most of Europe and the UK. This limits its adoption, making it inaccessible to a significant portion of global content creators.

7. No manual motion control

While Sora excels at natural movement, there’s no direct way to animate characters with specific actions beyond what the AI interprets. This makes precision storytelling a bit tricky.

How does Sora compare to other AI video tools?

Sora stands out in the AI video space, but how does it stack up against competitors like Runway, Fliki, Pika Labs, and Synthesia?

1. Seamless OpenAI integration

Unlike other AI video tools, Sora is natively integrated into OpenAI’s ecosystem, ensuring smoother workflow for users familiar with ChatGPT and DALL·E. This makes it an attractive choice for those already using OpenAI’s products.

2. Faster video generation

Sora generates high-quality videos in seconds, outperforming most AI video tools in speed. For example, a 480p video takes under 20 seconds, whereas competitors like Runway might take several minutes to produce similar results.

3. Advanced AI scene understanding

Sora understands prompts with impressive accuracy, generating complex scenes with multiple characters, natural motion, and consistent environments. Many other AI tools struggle with object permanence and realistic movement, but Sora handles these aspects better than most.

4. Editing flexibility: Room for improvement

While Sora is great for AI-powered automation, it lacks the manual editing precision that exists in tools like Runway and Pika Labs. It’s ideal for quick prototyping but not for fine-tuned professional edits.

5. Video length: A major limitation

Compared to Runway and Fliki, which offer longer videos (up to several minutes), Sora is limited to 20 seconds per clip (The Plus plan, making it less suitable for long-form content creators.

6. Cost considerations

Sora’s Pro plan at $200 per month is significantly higher than Fliki or Pika Labs, which offer lower-cost subscriptions or pay-as-you-go models. Budget-conscious users may find better value elsewhere.

Verdict

Sora is great for AI-powered video creation, excelling in speed, AI automation, and scene comprehension. However, its editing constraints, short video length, and high price tag make it less appealing for professionals needing full-scale video production tools. If you need quick, high-quality AI videos, Sora is a top choice, but for detailed editing and longer videos, competitors like Runway or Pika Labs may be better suited.

Who should use the Sora video generator?

Sora is designed for anyone looking to create AI-generated videos quickly and efficiently. Content creator, marketer, educator, or business owner, Sora provides a fast and intuitive way to generate engaging video content.

1. Content creators

YouTubers, TikTok influencers, and social media creators can use Sora to produce visually stunning videos without expensive equipment or editing software. Its AI-powered automation allows for rapid prototyping and creative experimentation, making it ideal for short-form content.

2. Marketers

Brands and advertisers can leverage Sora to create eye-catching promotional videos, social media ads, and explainer content. The ability to generate high-quality clips in seconds makes it a great tool for A/B testing and campaign iterations.

3. Educators

Teachers and online course creators can use Sora to produce interactive and engaging video lessons. With text-to-video generation and storyboard sequencing, educators can simplify complex topics into digestible visual content.

4. Businesses

Companies can streamline video production for product demos, training materials, and corporate presentations. Sora’s AI-driven tools allow businesses to generate professional-looking videos without needing a dedicated video editing team.

Potential use cases for Sora

Sora’s AI-driven video generation opens up a variety of creative and professional applications. Here are some key areas where it shines:

1. Marketing and branding

• Generate sleek, professional-looking video ads in seconds.
• Produce branded short clips for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube without hiring a production team.
• Showcase products with smooth transitions and AI-enhanced visuals.

2. Education and training

• Develop engaging video lessons or explainer videos for online courses.
• Animate complex concepts to improve understanding and retention.
• Create interactive training videos for employee onboarding and corporate learning.

3. Content creation

• Create shot clips for entertainment or artistic expression.
• Remix existing content to provide fresh perspectives and variations.
• Produce cinematic storytelling clips without the need for professional filming equipment.

4. Gaming and virtual worlds

• Design cinematic cutscenes for game trailers or promotional content.
• Generate concept animations for characters, environments, and storytelling elements.
• Quickly iterate game design ideas with AI-generated previews.

How to optimally prompt Sora for the best results

Crafting effective prompts is the key to unlocking Sora’s full potential. Unlike traditional video editing tools, Sora relies entirely on natural language inputs to generate visually stunning outputs. 

To get the most out of this AI video generator, follow these expert-level prompting techniques:

1. Be specific and descriptive

The more detailed and vivid your prompt, the better Sora will understand and generate your video. AI models rely on clarity. So, instead of a generic request, be explicit about the scene, style, mood, and action.

Instead of just writing “A futuristic city at night,” good would be “A cyberpunk city at night, neon signs glowing, light rain falling, pedestrians in futuristic outfits walking past high-tech billboards, a robotic taxi driving down the street, cinematic and immersive lighting.”

2. Define the motion and camera style

Since Sora generates full scenes with motion, describing the camera angles and movements can greatly impact the final video. It could be as simple as adding “A sweeping aerial shot over…” to your prompt. 

3. Use clear action commands

Sora can generate dynamic, multi-step actions if you specify them. Instead of just describing a setting, explain what’s happening within the scene.

For example, rather than say “A scientist working in a lab,” write “A scientist in a white lab coat mixes colorful chemicals in a glass beaker, which starts bubbling and changes color from blue to red. She smiles in excitement as a robot assistant hands her another beaker. The scene is bright and futuristic, shot in a modern laboratory.”

4. Set the lighting, atmosphere, and depth

Lighting dramatically affects how a scene feels. Whether it’s soft golden hour sunlight, neon cyberpunk glow, or moody shadows, describing lighting and depth enhances realism.

5. Avoid overloading

While detail is important, don’t overstuff your prompt with too many conflicting ideas. AI works best when it has a clear structure to follow.

6. Tweak

Don’t be afraid to tweak and refine your prompt if the output isn’t perfect. Try:

• Adjusting wording for better clarity.
• Adding more visual detail if the scene is too simple.
• Removing unnecessary elements if the video feels cluttered.

Final verdict: Is the Sora video generator worth the hype?

Sora is a groundbreaking AI video generator with immense potential, but it’s not without its limitations. It excels in speed, automation, and ease of use, making it ideal for creators who want to generate high-quality videos with minimal effort. However, compared to traditional video editing software, it still lacks advanced customization, precise frame control, and detailed post-production tools.

Sora is cool but it’s not a full replacement for professional video editing tools…yet. If OpenAI continues refining it, Sora could redefine how we create video content in the future. 

I’ll rate it a 7.5/10. 

FAQs for OpenAI’s Sora video generator

Is Sora free to use?

No. Sora is included in OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscriptions, $20 and $200 respectively. 

What types of videos can Sora generate?

Sora can create 5 – 20 seconds of promotional videos, animations, explainer videos, and more, making it useful for content creators, marketers, and educators.

Can OpenAI Sora produce video and sound at the same time?

Currently, Sora does not generate audio alongside video. Users must add voiceovers, background music, or sound effects separately in post-production.

Can you make a full-feature film using Sora?

No, Sora is not yet capable of producing full-length films. While it can generate short, high-quality clips, a complete movie requires complex storytelling, scene transitions, and extensive post-production work.

What are the main drawbacks of using Sora?

The main limitations include limited video duration (capped at 20 seconds), lack of advanced manual editing tools found in professional software, and expensive subscription costs.

Can I use Sora for professional video production?

Yes, but it depends on the project’s requirements. Sora is best suited for quick content generation, marketing materials, and prototyping, rather than fully polished cinematic productions.

Does Sora support different aspect ratios and resolutions?

Yes, but resolution and video length depend on your subscription plan. ChatGPT Pro users can generate videos up to 1080p quality.

How will OpenAI Sora change the traditional video editing workflow?

Sora streamlines video creation by eliminating the need for manual editing and complex animation work. While it won’t replace professional editors, it offers a faster, AI-driven approach to generating high-quality visuals.

Conclusion 

Sora is an impressive AI-powered video generator that simplifies content creation. While it excels in speed and automation, it still has limitations in manual editing, audio integration, and video length. As OpenAI continues improving the tool, Sora has the potential to reshape the future of video production. 

Disclaimer!

This publication, review, or article (“Content”) is based on our independent evaluation and is subjective, reflecting our opinions, which may differ from others’ perspectives or experiences. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the Content and disclaim responsibility for any errors or omissions it may contain.

The information provided is not investment advice and should not be treated as such, as products or services may change after publication. By engaging with our Content, you acknowledge its subjective nature and agree not to hold us liable for any losses or damages arising from your reliance on the information provided.

Always conduct your research and consult professionals where necessary.

Key takeaways:

• Effective ChatGPT prompts can significantly improve your academic writing quality and even boost grades. Poorly structured prompts lead to robotic, unclear, and ineffective AI-generated content.
• ChatGPT can assist in brainstorming topics, structuring arguments, and refining writing. ChatGPT can help with research topics, literature reviews, hypothesis formulation, and citations.
• Small changes in prompt wording can impact the quality of ChatGPT’s output. Role-based prompts and clear instructions are great for ChatGPT-generated academic content.
• AI-assisted writing requires careful proofreading, fact-checking, and plagiarism screening. ChatGPT should be used as a writing aid, not a replacement, to maintain academic integrity.
• You can develop your prompt yourself from scratch and make it a template for related tasks.

I’ve received a lot of positive feedback—and even good grades—by using ChatGPT for my academic writing. How did I get there? I use good prompts.

When I hadn’t mastered prompting ChatGPT, the results felt robotic and often didn’t match what I intended. I had to rewrite some of my academic work because the results were unacceptable. At first, I thought ChatGPT just wasn’t doing it right. Then, I realized I was the reason for my struggles.

How did I figure it out? While reviewing an academic paper a friend worked on, I was amazed at his submission. He then revealed that he didn’t write it entirely by himself; he used ChatGPT. When I compared his work to mine, I noticed a big difference.

Beyond that, I realized the way he wrote his instructions to ChatGPT wasn’t the same as mine, not necessarily in exact words, but in how he structured and presented them. That difference? It’s called a prompt.

Since then, I’ve experimented with prompts, and now I’ve gotten really good at it and even better than my friend. In this article, I’ll share 10 of my best ChatGPT prompts for academic writing that I’ve tested and found to be consistently effective.

While you are eager to learn my best ChatGPT prompts for your academic writing, you need to understand how this type of writing differs from others.

Academic writing and ChatGPT  

Many people mistake academic writing for other types of writing. To clarify, academic writing is a formal type of writing used in universities, research papers, and scholarly articles. It combines research, analysis, and a detailed understanding of the subject.

In academic writing, you will notice that it is structured, objective, and evidence-based, often including references and following strict formatting and citation rules (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago style). Whereas other types of writing can be more flexible.

The language used in academic writing is precise, technical, and impersonal. But other forms of writing allow for informal language, including slang.

Sounds tough, right? Well, now that we have AI tools like ChatGPT, you can use them as a secret hack for academic writing—just as I have.

AI tools use artificial intelligence to generate academic writing papers based on instructions, prompts, or data you provide.

With the right prompts, ChatGPT can help you find great essay topics, structure your argument, and even refine your writing style. It can also help you organize your thoughts and turn a large amount of information into a well-structured academic paper.

How I tested ChatGPT for academic writing

Before I decided on the best prompts to share in this article, I tested multiple prompts across different academic writing components. For each component, I wrote up to three prompts in various perspectives and formats, including both long and short prompts.

Then, I fed each prompt into ChatGPT and analyzed the results, comparing the AI-generated outputs to academic writing standards.

I carefully reviewed each response to determine which prompt produced the best outcome for each writing component.

I also discovered that even a single word, an extra sentence, or a punctuation mark could change how ChatGPT interprets the prompt and the results I got. Additionally, I had to choose the ChatGPT model that best suited my needs. I typically use GPT-4o, but you can select the model that works best for you.

My 10 best ChatGPT prompts to swipe and use

1. My ChatGPT prompt for research topics   

You are a leading expert responsible for identifying the most pressing and impactful research needs. Develop a list of at least three high-impact research topics. For each topic, provide a clear research question or hypothesis, explain its significance, relevance, and potential impact, and analyze the current state of knowledge along with existing research gaps. Then, outline ideas for research design, methodology, and potential collaborations. Also, discuss the anticipated outcomes, contributions, and implications for theory, practice, and policy. When formulating these research questions, consider emerging trends, debates, and challenges in [FIELD OF STUDY], ensuring they align with the field’s priorities.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

2. My ChatGPT prompt for literature review

I want you to conduct a thorough review of the existing research on [RESEARCH TOPIC]. Start by understanding the current state of knowledge and identifying areas that need further exploration. Search for and use relevant studies, articles, and books from academic journals and conference proceedings. Identify key findings from these sources and analyze how they relate to the topic. Carefully evaluate each source, highlighting its core arguments, and structure the review accordingly. Explain how the research contributes to the field and what gaps in knowledge it addresses. Follow academic writing standards, properly cite your sources using [REQUIRED CITATION STYLE], and include any other relevant components I may have missed.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

3. My ChatGPT prompt for formulating hypothesis

Develop a hypothesis that addresses a specific research question within [research area] based on existing literature, theories, or frameworks. Make sure the content is relevant to the research field and follows the SMART criteria. Explain the reasoning behind the hypothesis and follow standard guidelines for hypothesis formulation, especially those related to the research area.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

4. My ChatGPT prompt for writing sections of the paper

You are a skilled academic researcher in [YOUR FIELD], contributing to a collaborative paper. Write a detailed review of a section focused on [SECTION TOPIC]. Analyze relevant literature and current research findings, using [CITATION STYLE] for references. Ensure your contribution aligns with the paper’s themes and objectives. If any important details are missing from my description, include them to enhance the paper’s overall quality.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

5. My ChatGPT prompt for Creating outline

I want to write an academic article on [RESEARCH TOPIC], and I need your help to make it the best. As an academic research expert, create a detailed outline for this topic. Ensure the outline follows academic standards and includes all essential elements of a strong academic structure. Cover every relevant section to make it as comprehensive as possible.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

6. My ChatGPT prompt for correcting grammar and syntax

Proofread this academic article as a researcher in [YOUR FIELD]. Ensure the document is error-free without altering its content or contributions. Correct grammatical errors and refine the syntax while maintaining clarity and coherence. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, tone, and grammar. Simplify overly complex sentences where necessary. Check if the citation style follows the [PREFERRED STYLE GUIDE], correct punctuation, and enhance readability.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

7. My ChatGPT prompt for developing arguments

I need a strong argument for [THE ARTICLE OR TOPIC]. Clearly state the argument and outline the main points that support it, such as data analysis, explanations with evidence, and relevant references. Build the argument in an engaging and coherent structure. Since there may be counterarguments or critiques, provide well-reasoned explanations to address them. The writing should be persuasive and firm but still respectful of opposing views. The conclusion should reinforce the argument and validate the key points.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

8. My ChatGPT prompt for citations

Compile and format citations for all sources in the academic paper I provided (attach it). Use APA citation style and strictly follow its guidelines for both in-text citations and references. Make sure to include authors’ names, titles of works, publication dates, page numbers, and publisher details for books, as well as journal names, volume, and issue numbers for articles.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

9. My ChatGPT prompt for analyzing data and findings

You are to thoroughly analyze the provided data as a data analyst in academic writing. Summarize the key data points and findings, including patterns, correlations, or anomalies. Then, discuss whether the findings support or contradict the paper’s thesis statement and arguments. Additionally, suggest areas for further research. Be sure to consider the methodology in your analysis.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

10. My ChatGPT prompt for refining thesis statement

My thesis statement didn’t pass, and I need to revise it. As an academic thesis expert, help me refine and enhance this thesis statement (attach it). Critique the statement and suggest ways to improve clarity, specificity, and academic rigor. Then, provide constructive feedback on how to strengthen it so it meets the required standards. Make sure the revised thesis is well-defined and serves as a strong foundation for a compelling argument in my research.

If you fill in the blank, here is a possible outcome from ChatGPT:

How is ChatGPT helpful in academic writing?

Sometimes, you might struggle to write an article, and even brainstorming doesn’t always lead to solid ideas. When that happens, you can use ChatGPT to outline your topic and research questions.

Even after making progress, your work might still feel scattered and unorganized. You can also use ChatGPT to structure your writing and add transitions in a way that ensures a logical flow.

Additionally, writer’s block is common, especially when you’re on a deadline. Unfortunately, deadlines don’t always give you the luxury of time to sit and think until inspiration strikes. That’s why I use a ChatGPT prompt focused on a specific point or argument to start my writing and put ideas together.

Then, there’s referencing and citation, which is often a time-consuming task. Sometimes, I get so caught up in gathering information and extracting key details that I forget to list my sources correctly. With a well-written prompt, I can ask ChatGPT to generate citations in the required academic style, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

Tips for creating a good ChatGPT Prompt  

You can use the prompts I’ve shared or create your own from scratch. Once you write a solid prompt, you can save it as a template for different types of writing. It’s not difficult if you apply these key tips.

• Be specific and clear: ChatGPT responds based on how well it understands your instructions. If your prompt is vague or poorly structured, the response might not be useful. However, don’t over-explain or include unnecessary details that might make ChatGPT go off-topic.

• Provide context: Context matters, especially for topics with multiple perspectives. Make it clear what angle you want ChatGPT to take. Instead of saying, “Write a literature review on [YOUR TOPIC],” be more specific: “Write a 1000-word literature review on [YOUR TOPIC] focusing on how it impacts African civil servants in five African countries.”

• Define the format, language, tone, and style: Academic writing has its tone and style. Make sure to specify these details in your prompt. For example, instead of a vague request like, “Write an academic paper on [YOUR TOPIC],” say, “Write a well-researched academic essay on the negative impact of artificial intelligence in education in America, using scholarly sources and in the APA citation style. Build a strong argument, sound firm, yet understandable to the layman.”

• Use role-based prompts: This technique works wonders. Instead of just asking ChatGPT to provide information, assign it a role. Instead of: “Give me academic writing tips,” Try: “You are a skilled academic writer. Share five proven dos and don’ts that every beginner should follow.”

• Provide examples: If you have a piece of writing you admire or a specific format you need, share it with ChatGPT. Ask it to use that example as a template for your topic.

• Use constraints: Constraints help guide ChatGPT to meet your exact needs. You can specify things like word count, format, and structure.

Considerations in AI-assisted academic writing  

Academic writing has strict guidelines, so you need to keep these considerations in mind when using ChatGPT.

Don’t just copy and paste ChatGPT-generated content without proofreading. After using ChatGPT, I always make sure the content is original and free from plagiarism. You can use plagiarism checkers or learn how to make ChatGPT undetectable to avoid AI detection issues.

Even if you specify a citation style for ChatGPT, you should still double-check that it follows the instructions correctly.

When proofreading ChatGPT-generated academic writing, I fact-check for accuracy and ensure there’s no misinformation. You should do the same to maintain credibility in your work.

Conclusion

Since I mastered how to prompt ChatGPT for academic writing, I use it regularly to enhance my work. But here’s what I don’t do—I don’t rely solely on ChatGPT to complete my writing because academic integrity matters. You should do the same.

Use ChatGPT as a tool to brainstorm, develop ideas, and refine your writing, but make sure you fully understand the core concepts and arguments in your work.

For me, the prompts and output are starting points, not final products. I always evaluate the generated content, check its relevance to my topic, and edit for clarity, coherence, and proper academic tone.

Your academic writing can be smoother and more effective. Try the prompts in this article, and with the tips shared, you can create your own as well.

Disclaimer!

This publication, review, or article (“Content”) is based on our independent evaluation and is subjective, reflecting our opinions, which may differ from others’ perspectives or experiences. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the Content and disclaim responsibility for any errors or omissions it may contain.

The information provided is not investment advice and should not be treated as such, as products or services may change after publication. By engaging with our Content, you acknowledge its subjective nature and agree not to hold us liable for any losses or damages arising from your reliance on the information provided.