On Monday, artificial intelligence startup Runway announced Gen 4. 5, a new video model that surpasses comparable models from Google and OpenAI according to an independent benchmark. Gen 4. 5 enables users to create high-definition videos by using written prompts that specify the desired motion and actions. Runway highlighted the model’s strong capabilities in understanding physics, human movement, camera motion, and cause-and-effect relationships. The model currently holds the top position on the Video Arena leaderboard, managed by the independent AI benchmarking and analysis firm Artificial Analysis. Rankings for text-to-video models are determined by users who compare outputs from two different models and vote for their preferred one without knowing which company produced them. Google’s Veo 3 model is ranked second, while OpenAI’s Sora 2 Pro model is in seventh position. Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela told CNBC, “We managed to out-compete trillion-dollar companies with a team of 100 people. You can reach the frontiers by being extremely focused and diligent. ” Founded in 2018, Runway earned a spot on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list this year.

The company specializes in AI research and develops video and world models — models trained on video and observational data to better capture how the physical world operates. Runway’s clientele includes media outlets, studios, brands, designers, creatives, and students. Its valuation has risen to $3. 55 billion, according to PitchBook. Investors in Runway include General Atlantic, Baillie Gifford, Nvidia, and Salesforce Ventures, among others. Valenzuela said Gen 4. 5 was codenamed “David” as a reference to the biblical tale of David and Goliath, describing it as “an overnight success that took like seven years. ” He added, “It feels like a very interesting moment in time where the era of efficiency and research is upon us. ” Runway is “excited to ensure that AI is not monopolized by two or three companies. ” Gen 4. 5 is being rolled out gradually and will be accessible to all Runway customers by week’s end. Valenzuela said it is the first of multiple significant releases planned. “It will be offered through Runway’s platform, its API, and via some of the company’s partners, ” he stated. WATCH: We tested OpenAI’s Sora 2 AI-video app to discover why Hollywood is concerned.