OpenAI to Shut Down Sora Video App and API, $1 Billion Partnership with Disney Ends

Odaily Planet Daily News: OpenAI has announced it will shut down its AI video generation platform Sora and its related API, reallocating resources toward "world simulation research to advance robotics." This decision also means the previously announced $1 billion investment partnership with Disney centered around Sora will no longer proceed. OpenAI stated that as the company continues to focus on its AGI roadmap and the computational power required to support intelligent agent AI capabilities, it has decided to cease Sora's operations as a consumer-facing app and API. However, the AI image generator integrated into ChatGPT will remain unaffected. The company will later announce a timeline for the app and API shutdown, as well as plans for users to save their creations. Reports indicate that Sora's operating costs were approximately $15 million per day. OpenAI first launched the Sora text-to-video model in February 2024, followed by the release of the more advanced Sora 2 and a standalone mobile app, which supported social video streams and user "guest appearance" features. In December 2024, OpenAI and Disney had announced a three-year agreement authorizing the use of approximately 250 Disney characters for AI video generation, covering franchises such as Frozen, Star Wars, and Marvel. Disney stated that it respects OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business and will continue exploring other ways to collaborate with generative AI.