In an increasingly digital landscape, ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has introduced a new generative video model called Seedance 2.0. However, following its initial release, the company took immediate action to limit certain features due to concerns raised by a content creator’s demonstration of the AI’s capabilities. This article explores the implications of Seedance 2.0 on the entertainment industry and the measures ByteDance is implementing to navigate potential challenges.
Within just three days of its debut, ByteDance temporarily restricted functionalities in its new generative video model. The decision followed a demonstration by a prominent content creator that showcased the model’s ability to replicate his voice, office environment, and even produce a rear view of his body from a single photograph.
The preliminary version of this AI tool, named Seedance 2.0, underwent open testing on Saturday via Jimeng, ByteDance’s AI model platform. This launch prompted immediate comparisons to Sora 2, a video generation model unveiled last year by OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT.
On Monday, online influencer Pan Tianhong, known as Tim and the founder of the tech media platform Media Storm, shared a video where he demonstrated the model’s capacity to create highly realistic scenes based on minimal input. He described the outcome as “terrifying” and predicted that conventional film production would soon face significant disruptions: “Traditional film and television production is on the brink of being swept away by an AI tsunami,” he stated on the video platform Bilibili.
Tim’s post quickly amassed millions of views, thrusting Seedance 2.0 into the limelight. On domestic social media, short videos showcasing imaginative scenarios, such as playing basketball with LeBron James and epic battles involving Godzilla, became viral sensations, with audiences praising the innovative tool.
By the time Seedance 2.0 officially launched on Thursday, discussions surrounding it had amassed over 70 million views on the microblogging site Weibo. While many users expressed excitement, others raised concerns about authorship and copyright issues, prompting experts to caution about potential legal ramifications.
In light of these concerns, domestic media reported that a Jimeng staff member announced measures aimed at ensuring a “healthy and sustainable media environment.” As a result, Seedance 2.0 will restrict the use of real person references and now requires users to verify their identity before generating content that features themselves.
Despite these new restrictions, Seedance 2.0 continues to be rolled out gradually, although higher-tier memberships are needed to access full functionalities, which include faster processing, improved resolution, and lip-sync capabilities.
The tool has received accolades from industry leaders. A producer from the popular video game “Black Myth: Wukong” referred to it as “the strongest video generation model” available today. Additionally, Tang, a professional AI-generated content creator and leading collaborator with Jimeng, noted that the model has halved the production time for a one-minute video from three to four days to just half a day. “The model represents a significant leap in visual understanding—from dialogue and performance to camera movements and effects,” she remarked.
In a conversation with Sixth Tone, Tang, who operates both tutorial and AI video accounts, referred to Seedance 2.0 as a “double-edged sword.” While it enhances efficiency for her short-video platform, it presents new challenges for her technically focused account. “Those who have benefited from technological advantages now need to explore new avenues,” she explained. “Having experience alone is no longer adequate—creators must cultivate stronger intellectual properties and unique identities.”
At the same time, the model’s realistic capabilities have heightened worries concerning authorship, likeness rights, and copyright. After instances of AI-generated fight sequences featuring Hong Kong actor Stephen Chow circulated online, his agent publicly questioned the potential infringement of these works.
Sha Lei, a professor at Beihang University’s Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Beijing, emphasized that these limitations are essential for safeguarding users. “As technological progress accelerates, it becomes crucial to maintain boundaries against misuse,” he stated.
In conclusion, Seedance 2.0 has stirred both excitement and anxiety within the creative industry. While the innovations it brings can revolutionize content creation, they also underline the imminent need for thoughtful dialogue around authorship and ethical considerations in the age of AI.
Editor: Marianne Gunnarsson.
(Header image: VCG)
