OpenAI Shuts Down Sora, Its Generative AI Video Tool

In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI Group PBC has decided to discontinue its acclaimed Sora AI video application, merely months after a significant update was introduced.

This decision follows a decrease in interest surrounding the generative artificial intelligence video platform, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman conveyed this decision to staff in an email today, announcing that the company will phase out all products utilizing its video models. This includes both the consumer app and a version designed for developers. Additionally, video functionalities will no longer be supported by ChatGPT. In a social media update, OpenAI extended its gratitude to Sora users while acknowledging that the news may come as a “disappointment.”

AI video generators initially sparked considerable excitement among users, enabling the rapid creation of polished videos based on straightforward natural language prompts. OpenAI launched Sora in February 2024, igniting discussions about the potential of AI to disrupt traditional content creation, filmmaking, and media production.

In September 2025, a newer, more powerful version, named Sora 2, was unveiled, capable of producing longer and more lifelike clips. New features, such as “cameos,” were introduced, allowing users to create videos featuring themselves alongside friends and celebrities. The app quickly rose to prominence on Apple Inc.’s App Store.

However, despite the update, many AI-generated videos still fall short of realism, leading to an influx of what some call “AI slop”—subpar or intentionally misleading AI-generated videos flooding social media platforms.

Sora has also faced controversies. Last year, a surge of users produced what OpenAI described as “disrespectful depictions” of Martin Luther King Jr., leading the company to temporarily restrict the creation of videos featuring his likeness. The app raised concerns among copyright and deepfake experts about the potential misuse of the technology.

On the other hand, Sora garnered support from major players, including Walt Disney Co., which announced in December a multiyear licensing agreement with OpenAI. This partnership would allow Sora users to create videos featuring iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, as well as characters from Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, all under Disney’s umbrella. Disney expressed its intent to be a “major customer” of OpenAI, focusing on the use of AI to develop new products and experiences.

However, with the app’s discontinuation, Disney has announced that its investment in Sora will be voided. “As the rapidly evolving AI landscape progresses, we respect OpenAI’s choice to exit the video generation sector and shift its focus,” a spokesperson for the company informed the Journal.

Enterprise Shift

The move to shut down Sora aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to pivot toward business clientele and capitalize on opportunities similar to those successfully navigated by its competitor, Anthropic PBC, which has gained traction in the enterprise sector due to its coding features. OpenAI aims to redirect its resources to productivity tools suited for both businesses and individuals.

In keeping with this direction, OpenAI revealed plans last week to merge the ChatGPT desktop application with its coding tool Codex and web browsing functionalities into a comprehensive AI “superapp.” Meanwhile, the team behind Sora will shift its focus to long-term, potentially more lucrative projects such as autonomous robotics, as stated by Altman.

OpenAI’s withdrawal from video generation does not signal the end of AI-generated video; instead, it may open pathways for specialized AI video startups like Runway Inc. and Lightricks Inc. to take the lead.

Image: SiliconANGLE/Gemini