Pika Labs' Video Generation AI: Create Stunning Videos in Minutes

"What is Pika?"

"What can it do?"

If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place!

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Pika, covering its basics, features, and capabilities. If you're interested in learning about specific operations and usage, be sure to check out this article as well.

What is Pika?

Pika is a video generation AI platform service that allows users to create videos automatically by simply inputting text or uploading image data.

While there are other video generation AI services available, Pika has gained significant attention due to its user-friendly interface and the high quality of the videos it generates, despite being a relatively new service.

When searching for "Pika," you might encounter terms like "Pika 1.0" and "Pika 1.5," so let's clarify those below.

What is Pika 1.5?

Pika 1.5 is the name of a specific version of Pika.

Similar to how game versions are managed (e.g., "ver2.1"), it essentially refers to a version update.

Pika 1.5, the latest model evolved from Pika 1.0, was released on October 2, 2024, and is capable of generating even higher quality videos. (Updated: October 2024)

It includes "Pikaeffect," which allows you to add unique effects to videos without prompts, and enables you to apply camera angles that mimic professional filmmaking techniques.

As updates continue, we can expect to see "Pika 2.0," "Pika 3.0," and beyond in the future.

What is Pika 1.0?

Pika has only been officially released for two months (as of February 2024), which is why you often see the term "Pika 1.0."

Even with the release of the latest Pika 1.5, Pika 1.0 remains available for use with higher-tier plans.

Features of Pika

Easy Video Creation and Editing from Images and Text

One of the key features is the ability for anyone to easily create and edit videos from images and text.

While this isn't unique to Pika and applies to video generation AI in general, it has garnered significant attention for its potential to improve operational efficiency through AI utilization.

In fact, Pika and other generative AI tools are already being used in video production settings, with further growth expected.

Especially in Japan, where a declining workforce is a social issue, many companies and individuals are considering its use.

High-Quality Video Generation

Another feature is the ability to generate high-quality videos.

While there are several types of video generation AI, Pika is considered to be among the best in terms of video quality.

Runway, another AI tool that is gaining popularity, is also known for its ability to generate high-quality videos. Some even claim that Pika surpasses it in terms of quality.

This article won't delve into the details of Runway, but you can find a detailed explanation in the article below if you're interested.

Read also: What is Video Generation AI 'Runway'? A Simple Introduction to its Features and Capabilities!

Academic Support from Stanford and Harvard Universities

Pika has academic support from Stanford and Harvard Universities.

Pika was co-founded and developed by two female engineers from Stanford and Harvard Universities. The underlying motivation was to create a better video generation AI than Runway, which they felt had usability issues.

They have professors from Stanford's AI research lab as advisors, and the service is characterized by its easy-to-use UI while incorporating the latest technology.

Given these features, what can you actually do with Pika?

What You Can Do with Pika

While it allows you to easily generate videos from text, let's delve into the specifics of what you can do with it.

Text to Video: Generate Videos by Inputting Text (Prompts)

You can generate videos that closely match your ideal vision by specifying detailed scenes using text (prompts). However, you can also generate videos using just a single word.

The screenshot below shows a video generated by simply typing "soccer game."

Despite the abstract input, it's clear that the video depicts a soccer game.

You can also generate higher-quality videos by specifying the viewpoint from the stands or specifying the color of the uniforms.

One thing to keep in mind is that input must be in English. If you're not comfortable with English, we recommend using Google Translate or a similar tool.

Image to Video: Generate Videos by Inputting Image Data

Another feature is the ability to generate videos by inputting image data.

For example, using the same "soccer game" prompt but using an image of someone kicking a ball adds motion based on the prompt, resulting in a video like the one shown below.

Since this article only includes screenshots of the generated videos, it may be difficult to get a full sense of what it can do. We encourage you to try it out for yourself!

Video to Video: Generate Videos by Inputting Video Data

You can also generate videos by inputting video data.

For example, let's download the following video (a sample from the Pika official website), as shown in the image below, and upload it.

Then, by entering "change anime style" in the prompt input field, the following screenshot of a generated video is produced.

As you can see, tasks that would normally require significant effort can be completed in about a minute using AI.

Video Editing Features

Finally, there are video editing features.

You can adjust the aspect ratio or regenerate a specific portion of the generated video in a different color version.

Compared to other tools such as Runway, the editing features are somewhat limited, but they are sufficient for experimentation.

Given that it has just been released, we anticipate further feature development in the future.

We've introduced the various capabilities of Pika, and by combining them, you can generate videos more efficiently and closer to your ideal vision.

Now that we've covered the overview and functional aspects, let's take a look at how to use it.

How to Use Pika 1.5

This article will outline the basic usage.

Pika is Available on the Official Website or Discord

First and foremost, Pika can be used on the official website or via Discord.

The official website is likely simpler to use, so we'll use it for this guide.

*Discord is a chat service originating in the United States that allows for video, voice, and text communication.

Steps to Use and Simple Operation Methods

[STEP 1] Access the Pika Official Website

First, access the Pika official website.

Search for "Pika AI" or "Pika art," and it should appear at the top of the search results. Click on the link that appears, as shown below.

If the page below appears after clicking, you're on the right track.

[STEP 2] Log In with a Google Account or Discord Account

Once you've successfully accessed the official website, click either the "Sign in" or "Try Pika" button in the upper right corner.

Next, a login screen will appear, so log in with either a Google account or a Discord account.

If you don't have either account, you'll need to create one first.

[STEP 3] Input Prompts, Images, or Videos from the Input Field at the Bottom of the Page to Generate Videos

Once you've successfully logged in, you'll find an input field at the very bottom of the page where you can easily start generating videos.

These are the basic steps to get started.

The best way to learn is to experiment and try different prompts, so we encourage you to try various prompts.

Next, let's look at some actual examples of how Pika can be used.

Examples of Pika Use

Pika allows anyone to easily generate videos in a game-like manner, but what are some of its potential applications?

Utilizing it for Daily Video Production Tasks

First, it can be used for daily video production tasks.

This is primarily relevant for those in creative roles, but if you can master it, you can significantly improve the efficiency of your daily tasks.

It may take some getting used to specifying detailed scenes in English at first, but once you master it, it can serve as a very powerful support tool.

Idea Generation (Brainstorming)

Pika can also be useful for idea generation.

Visualizing ideas in your head can be quite challenging, but with Pika, anyone can create an output in minutes.

It's also an excellent support item for deepening your thinking and creating more ideal images.

Pika Pricing

Regarding Pika's pricing, you can generate 150 credits (10 videos) per day for free.

If you plan on using it more extensively, there are various plans ranging from approximately $10 to $110, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Precautions When Using Pika

Pika is free to use and is expected to be useful in daily life, but there are two important precautions to keep in mind.

Commercial Use is Only Available to Pro Plan Users

First, commercial use requires a Pro plan subscription.

As stated on the Pika official page, commercial use is not permitted for users on plans other than the Pro plan.

*This is an unofficial translation of the content on the official website, so there may be discrepancies. Please contact Pika service operations for more information.

This is especially important to note if you belong to a company or organization or are considering using it for business as a sole proprietor.

Pay Close Attention to Copyrights of Inputted Images, Video Data, and Content

Second, pay close attention to the copyrights of inputted images, video data, and content.

This applies not only to Pika but to generative AI in general. There is a risk of disputes arising from third-party claims regarding generated content.

While it's unlikely that videos that are blatantly similar to existing works will be output, it's always important to keep in mind that the images and video data you input could potentially lead to the creation of works similar to those existing works.

Summary

This article introduced the basic features, characteristics, and capabilities of Pika.

The cautionary notes at the end may have been a bit alarming to some, but Pika is generally very easy to use and is a highly beneficial AI tool for supporting video production.

Thank you for reading to the end.