From Google to Giggle: OpenArt’s AI Makes ‘Brainrot’ Videos in One Click

AI startup OpenArt, founded in 2022 by two former Google employees, has propelled itself into the spotlight by enabling creators to generate distinctive AI-powered “brainrot” videos with unprecedented ease. With around 3 million monthly active users, OpenArt’s innovative "one-click story" feature, launched in open beta in August 2025, allows users to convert a single sentence, image, or even a song into a captivating one-minute video with a coherent narrative arc — from quirky characters to compelling music visuals. This tool is rapidly gaining traction, especially among younger audiences drawn to the emerging trend of eccentric, surreal video content.

 

Key Highlights: OpenArt’s One-Click Story Feature Unlocks Creative Simplicity

 

The breakthrough “one-click story” feature offers three templates: Character Vlog, Music Video, and Explainer. In the Character Vlog, users upload an image of a character and enter a prompt to generate animated narratives. Uploading a song leads the AI to interpret lyrics and craft matching visual themes—such as blooming flowers illustrating certain moments in music.

 

Users can refine generated clips post-creation via an editor’s storyboard mode, adjusting prompts to enhance quality and storytelling flow.

 

OpenArt leverages a powerful backend of over 50 AI models, including DALLE-3, GPT, Imagen, Flux Kontext, and Stable Diffusion, offering users a selection of tools for optimal creative control.

 

The platform aims to democratize content creation by lowering barriers for aspiring AI creators, making it accessible for diverse use cases such as lighthearted TikTok stories, serious explainer videos, music clips for YouTube, and even advertising content.

 

Maintaining Character Consistency: A Core Differentiator

 

Unlike typical AI video tools that rely on disconnected clips that users piece together, OpenArt prioritizes narrative and visual cohesion to maintain character consistency throughout a video.

 

OpenArt CEO and co-founder Coco Mao highlighted that stability of characters within videos enhances viewer engagement and immersion—a challenge many AI systems struggle with.

 

The startup is advancing its technology roadmap to include interactive dialogues between multiple characters, enhancing storytelling depth.

 

Ethical Challenges and Intellectual Property Concerns

 

OpenArt’s growing popularity raises complex legal and ethical questions, particularly around intellectual property. The Character Vlog template occasionally produces content involving copyrighted characters (e.g., Pikachu, SpongeBob, Super Mario).

 

To address this, the platform’s models automatically reject uploads that closely match known IP to prevent unauthorized use, though some slip through occasionally.

 

Mao indicated openness to licensing discussions with major IP owners to secure permissions proactively.

 

Users are warned that videos violating copyright may be removed from social platforms, with legal accountability possible for repeat offenders or deliberate infringement.

 

Access, Pricing, and Funding Status

 

OpenArt operates on a credit-based subscription model with plans ranging from $14 per month for 4,000 credits (covering 4 one-click stories, 40 videos, 4,000 images, and 4 characters) to an “Infinite” plan at $56 for 24,000 credits. Teams can subscribe at $35 per member monthly.

 

To date, OpenArt has raised $5 million from investors like Basis Set Ventures and DCM Ventures and is cash-flow positive, projecting annual revenues exceeding $20 million.

 

Broader Cultural Impact and Future Prospects

 

OpenArt’s tools have fueled the viral spread of AI-generated “brainrot” videos characterized by bizarre, surreal characters such as sharks wearing sneakers or ballerinas with cappuccino heads, attracting strong engagement from younger social media users worldwide.

 

The startup foresees expanding its platform to include a mobile app and new creative features enhancing interactivity and storytelling capabilities.

 

By empowering creators with rapid, streamlined content production, OpenArt has positioned itself at the forefront of AI-driven media innovation, balancing creative freedom with responsible usage.

 

Conclusion

 

OpenArt’s novel approach to AI video generation is transforming the digital creative landscape by making it incredibly simple for anyone to produce engaging, narrative-driven “brainrot” videos with just one click. Founded by former Google engineers, the startup’s emphasis on character consistency, vast AI tooling options, and proactive IP management sets it apart in a fast-evolving field. Its success underscores the growing appetite for AI-assisted content creation while highlighting the ongoing challenges of legality and ethics in the AI art domain. As it continues to innovate with plans for multi-character dialogues and mobile technology, OpenArt is shaping the future of AI-powered storytelling for both casual creators and professional users alike.

 

Sources: TechCrunch, Yahoo Finance