Genmo Launches Open-Source AI Model for Revolutionary Video Generation
In a significant development for the field of artificial intelligence, Genmo, an innovative AI company specializing in video generation, has unveiled a research preview for its new open-source model, Mochi 1. This breakthrough technology aims to create high-quality videos directly from text prompts, boasting performance that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, established players such as Runway’s Gen-3 Alpha and Luma AI’s Dream Machine.
Mochi 1 is available under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, granting users free access to its advanced capabilities— a stark contrast to competing models that can charge up to $94.99 monthly for premium features. As part of the launch, users can freely download the full model weights and code via Hugging Face, although it requires at least four Nvidia H100 GPUs for local operation.
To enhance user experience, Genmo is also offering a hosted playground, inviting users to experiment with the Mochi 1 model and its functionalities. Currently, the model operates at 480p resolution, with plans to roll out a high-definition version, Mochi 1 HD, in the near future.
Initial tests have yielded impressive results, demonstrating Mochi 1’s ability to generate strikingly realistic scenes and motion, particularly when depicting human subjects. This advancement represents a leap forward in video generation technology, highlighting the model’s success in adhering closely to user prompts and generating fluid motion.
According to Paras Jain, Genmo’s CEO and co-founder, Mochi 1 plays a critical role in bridging the gap between open and proprietary video generation technologies. "We’re just getting started on our journey to the future of generative video. Long, high-quality, fluid videos are our next target," he explained.
Reflecting on the broader implications of their technology, Jain emphasized Genmo’s commitment to democratizing AI. “Our mission is to make these tools accessible to everyone,” he noted. This ethos is evident in the open-source nature of Mochi 1, which is designed to empower developers and researchers alike to innovate and expand the capabilities of video generation.
Alongside the model release, Genmo has also secured a remarkable $28.4 million in Series A funding, led by prominent investors such as NEA and The House Fund. Jain envisions video as a fundamental form of communication, asserting, “30% to 50% of our brain’s cortex is dedicated to processing visual signals.” This insight drives Genmo’s mission to harness video AI to power future robotics and autonomous systems.
Mochi 1’s architecture, based on Genmo’s Asymmetric Diffusion Transformer (AsymmDiT), comprises 10 billion parameters, marking it as the largest open-source video generation model to date. Its design focuses on visual reasoning and efficiency, employing a video Variational Autoencoder (VAE) to compress data significantly, ensuring that it can be accessed easily by developers and researchers.
While the model shows remarkable promise, it is not without limitations. Currently, Mochi 1 only supports 480p resolution and can produce minor visual distortions with complex movements. Animated content also presents challenges. However, the anticipated Mochi 1 HD will enhance motion fidelity and introduce support for 720p video.
The release of Mochi 1 opens new opportunities across various industries, from entertainment and advertising to education and robotics. Genmo envisions that, with the right tools, anyone can create compelling content, regardless of their background. Jain articulates an inspiring future where even a young aspiring filmmaker from Mumbai can harness this technology to achieve great success.
Genmo’s invitation to explore Mochi 1 can be found on their hosted playground, where users can test its capabilities. As they push the boundaries of open-source AI, Genmo is also on the lookout for talent, seeking researchers and engineers to join their mission of advancing the frontier of video generation and artificial general intelligence.
For more information and to try Mochi 1, visit Genmo’s website.
