Photo: STEFANO RELLANDINI / AFP / Getty Images
OpenAI is shutting down its Sora AI video-generation app just months after launch, the company confirmed on Tuesday (March 24), marking a sharp reversal for one of its most high-profile consumer products.
In a post on X, OpenAI said simply, "We're saying goodbye to Sora," adding that it would share more details soon, including timelines for the app and its API, and information on how users can preserve their content.
Sora debuted in September as a standalone app paired with OpenAI's second-generation video model, which could generate high-quality video with audio from simple text prompts. It shot to the top of the iOS App Store's Photo and Video category within a day of its release. But the app quickly drew criticism from copyright holders, deepfake experts, and entertainment industry figures who raised alarms about the use of their intellectual property and people's likenesses.
OpenAI cited growing computing demands and shifting business priorities as the driving force behind the decision. "As we focus and compute demand grows, the Sora research team continues to focus on world simulation research to advance robotics that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks," an OpenAI spokesperson said.
The shutdown also unravels a high-profile partnership OpenAI struck with Walt Disney Co. in December. That deal, worth a reported $1 billion investment from Disney, was meant to bring popular characters to Sora's AI video generator and help power new experiences on Disney+.
"We respect OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere," a Disney spokesperson said, adding that the company "will continue to engage with AI platforms to find new ways to meet fans where they are while responsibly embracing new technologies that respect IP and the rights of creators."
The move comes as OpenAI faces stiff competition from rival Anthropic, whose Claude family of AI models has grown rapidly in popularity among software engineers and leading businesses. Unlike OpenAI, Anthropic has deliberately avoided image and video generation, focusing its computing resources on text and code. Google has also made recent strides in video generation, adding more competitive pressure.
Just weeks ago, OpenAI announced it had raised $110 billion in fresh funding, pushing its total valuation to roughly $730 billion. The company is also expected to pursue an initial public offering in the coming months. OpenAI said it is currently exploring ways to help users export and preserve their content from the Sora app before it goes offline.