OpenAI has shut down its AI video-generation app Sora, less than two years after its launch gained global attention for producing highly realistic videos from simple prompts.
At the same time, OpenAI is ending its content partnership with entertainment giant Disney. The company said it is discontinuing Sora to focus on other AI initiatives, including robotics designed to help people solve real-world tasks.
A Disney spokesperson said the company respects OpenAI’s decision to exit the video-generation business. Disney plans to work with other AI platforms to explore responsible use of technology while protecting intellectual property rights.
The closure affects both Sora’s consumer app and the internet-based platform used by professionals to generate videos. OpenAI confirmed it will no longer pursue video-generation tools, shifting its focus toward “agentic” AI capable of autonomously completing tasks with minimal human oversight. The technology behind Sora will now be applied to robotics training. Image-generation tools on ChatGPT remain unaffected.
Launched in 2024, Sora drew worldwide interest for producing videos that looked as if they came from professional studios. However, the app raised concerns about copyright violations and its potential impact on the media industry.
In December, Disney became the first major studio to license intellectual property for use in OpenAI’s AI video tools, allowing Sora users to create content featuring characters like Mickey Mouse and Star Wars’ Yoda. While this deal marked a milestone for AI in entertainment, it also sparked concerns about AI replacing industry talent.
Sora faced growing competition in the AI video market, including China’s Seedance, which generated controversy when realistic videos featuring Hollywood characters went viral earlier this year.
