In brief
OpenAI has announced the closure of its AI video-generation app, Sora, less than two years after its launch and will also end its partnership with Disney. The move aims to concentrate on developing robotics and advanced AI technologies. Disney expressed respect for OpenAI's decision, planning to explore other AI platforms for responsible technology use.
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. Simultaneously, OpenAI will wind down its content partnership with entertainment giant Disney, the BBC understands.OpenAI informed the BBC on Wednesday that it has discontinued Sora to focus on other developments, especially 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 plans to engage with other AI platforms to responsibly use technology without infringing on intellectual property rights. OpenAI's closure of Sora includes both its consumer and internet-based platforms used for video generation. The BBC learned that, with Sora's closure, OpenAI will no longer focus on developing video-generation tools.OpenAI aims to create advanced AI forms, including agentic technology capable of performing tasks with minimal human oversight, utilizing the same technology from Sora to train robots.Despite the closure of Sora, OpenAI's image-making tools on ChatGPT remain unaffected. Sora launched in 2024 to great interest due to the high quality of its AI-generated videos that resembled professional studio productions.Though the innovative app sparked excitement, it also raised concerns regarding copyright violations and the potential threat it posed to the media industry. In December, Disney became the first major studio to license intellectual property to OpenAI to utilize in its AI tools, allowing Sora users to create content with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Yoda.However, with the closure of Sora, OpenAI shifts its focus as it faces increasing competition in the AI video-making market, including competitors like China’s Seedance which recently stirred controversy with its AI-generated videos.
