Dream Machine (text-to-video model)

Dream Machine is a text-to-video model created by Luma Labs and launched in June 2024. It generates video output based on user prompts or still images. Dream Machine has been noted for its ability to realistically capture motion, while some critics have remarked upon the lack of transparency about its training data. Upon the program's release, users on social media created moving versions of various Internet memes.

Dream Machine
Developer(s)Luma Labs
Initial releaseJune 12, 2024
TypeText-to-video model
Websitelumalabs.ai/dream-machine

History

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Monster Camp, a movie trailer generated by Dream Machine, features the Monsters, Inc. character Mike Wazowski in the background of one scene

Dream Machine is a text-to-video model created by the San Francisco-based generative artificial intelligence company Luma Labs, which had previously created Genie, a 3D model generator. It was released to the public on June 12, 2024, which was announced by the company in a post on X alongside examples of videos it created.[1] Soon after its release, users on social media posted video versions of images generated with Midjourney, as well as moving recreations of artworks such as Girl with a Pearl Earring and memes such as Doge, Picard facepalm, Success Kid, and distracted boyfriend.[2][3][4][5] One video, a trailer for a fictional animated movie titled Monster Camp, was reposted by Luma Labs on their X account. Users on the platform criticized the video as stealing the aesthetic of the Monsters, Inc. franchise, also pointing out that Mike Wazowski, a character from the franchise, appears in the trailer.[6] Another video posted by director Ellenor Argyropoulos of a Pixar-style animation of a girl in ancient Egypt created with Dream Machine went viral online.[7]

Capabilities

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As of June 2024, users can create videos with Dream Machine, which are five seconds long and 1360 × 752 pixels, by signing up with their Google account and typing in a prompt or using a still image.[8] Dream Machine alters the prompt based on its own large language model. Users can create 10 videos a day and 30 videos for free with Dream Machine. The program also offers Standard, Pro, and Premier subscription plans, which allow users to create 120, 400, and 2,000 videos, respectively. Dream Machine's website states that its videos have difficulty depicting text and motion.[9] Luma Labs has stated that it has plans to release a developer-friendly API for Dream Machine.[2] The week after its release, Luma Labs announced that it would be adding the ability to extend videos, a discovery feature, and in-video editing.[10]

Reception

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Critics compared Dream Machine heavily to Sora, a text-to-video model created by OpenAI, and Kling, another text-to-video model, upon its release.[2][11] Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge wrote that "bullish fans" of generative AI "were quick to call [Dream Machine] a novel innovation", but remarked upon its training data not being available to the public.[6] Mark Wilson of TechRadar also noted that it was unclear what Dream Machine's training data was, which he said "means that its potential outside of personal use or improving your GIF game could be limited", but wrote that it was "certainly a fun tool to test drive" as "a taster of the more advanced (and no doubt more expensive) AI video generators to come".[9] For Tom's Guide, Ryan Morrison called Dream Machine "one of the best prompt following and motion understanding AI video models yet" and "an impressive next step in generative AI video", but that "it is still falling short of what is needed".[11] Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto described user-created Dream Machine videos circulating on social media as "eerily-moving" and "Harry Potter-esque".[2]

References

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  1. ^ LeClair, Dave (June 12, 2024). "First look — Luma's new Dream Machine could be the AI video creator we've always wanted". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d DiBenedetto, Chase (June 15, 2024). "Luma AI Dream Machine: What it is, how to try it". Mashable. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Curtis, Charles (June 18, 2024). "Dream Machine AI is turning classic memes into videos and the results are unhinged". For The Win. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Stanley, Alyse (June 17, 2024). "People are using Luma Dream Machine to animate memes — here's 5 of the best examples". Tom's Guide. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  5. ^ Thalen, Mikael (June 18, 2024). "AI evangelists keep getting blown away by the Distracted Boyfriend meme being turned into a video". The Daily Dot. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Pulliam-Moore, Charles (June 18, 2024). "An AI video tool just launched, and it's already copying Disney's IP". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  7. ^ Adarlo, Sharon (June 15, 2024). "This AI-Generated Pixar Style Animation Just Might Blow Your Mind". Futurism. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  8. ^ Growcoot, Matt (June 17, 2024). "This AI Video Generator is Free to Use With No Waiting List". PetaPixel. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Wilson, Mark (June 13, 2024). "A new OpenAI Sora rival just landed for AI videos – and you can use it right now for free". TechRadar. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Morrison, Ryan (June 17, 2024). "Luma Dream Machine AI video generator is getting a huge update — here's what's in store". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Morrison, Ryan (June 13, 2024). "I put Luma Dream Machine to the test with 7 AI videos — here's how it stacks up to Sora". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
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Official website