China’s Kuaishou Launches Kling AI 2.0, Claims World’s Most Powerful Video Generator

In a bold move to lead the global race in artificial intelligence (AI) video generation, Chinese tech giant Kuaishou has unveiled the upgraded version of its video-generating model, Kling AI 2.0. At a corporate event in Beijing, the company claimed that Kling is now the “world’s most powerful” video generation model, challenging international rivals such as OpenAI’s Sora and Google DeepMind’s Veo.

Kuaishou, known as a major competitor to ByteDance's TikTok in China, has rapidly positioned itself as a serious player in the AI space. According to Kuaishou senior vice-president Gai Kun, Kling AI 2.0 brings significant upgrades, including better understanding of user prompts, improved realism in generated content, and higher visual quality for both imagery and movement. Gai described it as the “most powerful video-generation model available for public use.”

Since its initial release in mid-2024, Kling has gained immense popularity, with over 22 million users globally creating more than 168 million video clips and 344 million images. The new Kling AI 2.0 is already accessible online and offers users greater control over motion, resulting in more dynamic and refined video outputs.

The release comes amid a surge of interest in AI-generated content across China. Major Chinese tech firms such as ByteDance, Alibaba, Tencent, Zhipu AI, and Shengshu Tech are all aggressively investing in video-generating tools, aiming to outpace Western leaders in this field. This AI race has been described by Gai as a “run for life,” reflecting the urgency and intensity of the competition.

What sets Kling apart is its performance on a global scale. According to third-party evaluator Artificial Analysis, the previous generation of Kling already held the top spot for image-to-video models worldwide and was second only to Google’s Veo 2 in text-to-video generation. With Kling AI 2.0, Kuaishou aims to close that gap—or even take the lead.

Kuaishou is also supporting creative communities through its new "NextGen" initiative. This project is designed to provide artists and filmmakers with funding, technical support, and visibility to produce film-quality content using Kling’s tools. This move reflects the company’s broader ambition not just to provide AI tools, but to shape the future of digital storytelling.

While Chinese chatbots are widely available for public use, AI video generators like Kling are typically offered under a freemium model. Users can access basic features for free but must pay to unlock more advanced capabilities.

With Kling AI 2.0, Kuaishou is not just keeping pace with global competitors—it is attempting to lead. As AI-generated content continues to evolve, the battle for technological dominance is becoming more fierce, with Chinese tech giants determined to reshape the future of media, creativity, and entertainment on a global scale.