OpenAI will shut down its Sora video app and API, ending its $1 billion partnership with Disney.

OpenAI has announced the closure of its AI video generation platform, Sora, and related APIs, shifting resources to "world simulation research to advance robotics." This decision also means the cancellation of a previous $1 billion investment deal with Disney surrounding Sora. OpenAI stated that as the company continues to focus on its AGI roadmap and the computing power needed to support the AI ​​capabilities of intelligent agents, it has decided to cease operations of Sora as a consumer application and API, but the AI ​​image generator built into ChatGPT will remain unaffected. The company will announce a timeline for the closure of the application and API, as well as a plan for preserving user creations, at a later date. Sora's operating costs were reportedly approximately $15 million per day. OpenAI first launched the Sora text-to-video model in February 2024, subsequently releasing the more advanced Sora 2 and a standalone mobile app supporting social video streaming and user "guest appearance" features. In December 2024, OpenAI and Disney announced a three-year agreement to license 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 to explore other ways to collaborate with generative AI.