OpenAI shuts down Sora AI video platform, ends Disney deal

OpenAI is discontinuing its Sora AI video platform and API, citing high costs and a strategic shift. The closure also ends a $1 billion Disney investment linked to Sora.

OpenAI has announced it will discontinue its Sora AI video-generation platform, ending both the app and its API just months after launch. Sora, introduced in late 2025 as a text-to-video tool, quickly gained traction, surpassing one million downloads and becoming a viral hit, particularly within crypto communities on social media. Despite its rapid rise, Sora faced significant challenges, including high operational costs, intellectual property issues, and concerns over the spread of synthetic media and deepfakes. The shutdown also halts a proposed $1 billion investment from Disney, which was contingent on licensing major characters for Sora. OpenAI stated it will soon provide details on the timeline for the app and API shutdown, as well as guidance for users to preserve their content. This move reflects a strategic shift as OpenAI reallocates resources to other AI projects, such as world simulation and robotics research.