In brief
Less than two years post-launch, OpenAI has closed its Sora app, renowned for generating high-quality videos from simple prompts. The shutdown coincides with the end of a partnership with Disney, marking a shift in OpenAI's focus to robotics and other AI technologies. While concerns about copyright and industry disruption arise, Disney plans to explore AI responsibly with other platforms.
OpenAI has shut down its artificial intelligence (AI) video-generation app Sora less than two years after its launch made headlines for creating realistic clips based on simple prompts.
At the same time, OpenAI will also wind down its content partnership with entertainment giant Disney, the BBC understands.
OpenAI told the BBC on Wednesday that it has discontinued Sora to focus on other developments, such as robotics that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks.
A spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company stated, we respect OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere.
Disney will engage with other AI platforms to find ways to responsibly use the technology without infringing on intellectual property rights, they added.
OpenAI confirmed it is closing both its consumer app and its professional video generation platform, marking a pivot away from video-generating tools.
The firm aims to create other forms of advanced AI, including agentic technology capable of autonomously completing tasks with little human oversight. Plans include applying the same technology used for video production to train robots.
Interestingly, image-making tools on ChatGPT remain unaffected by Sora's closure.
Sora, which launched in 2024, gained immense traction globally due to its impressive AI-generated videos.
However, the app raised concerns about copyright violations and its potential threat to the media industry.
In December, Disney became the first major studio to license its intellectual property to OpenAI for use in AI video tools, allowing users to create videos featuring iconic characters.
Yet, amidst rising competition, including China's Seedance, which faced controversy over generating Hollywood character videos, Sora encountered significant market challenges.
