In brief
In a significant shift in strategy, OpenAI has announced the closure of its Sora video-making tool just under two years after its launch, citing a need to concentrate on other advancements such as robotics. Concurrently, the company is ending its partnership with Disney, which expressed respect for OpenAI’s decision while opting to explore other AI collaborations responsibly.
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.
At the same time OpenAI will also wind down its content partnership with entertainment giant Disney, the BBC understands.
OpenAI told the BBC on Wednesday that it has discontinued Sora so that it can focus on other developments, such as robotics that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks.
A spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company said we respect OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere.
Disney will engage with other AI platforms to find ways to responsibly use the technology without infringing on intellectual property rights, a spokesperson said.
Sora launched in 2024 to huge interest around the world due to the high quality of its AI-generated videos. But the app also sparked concerns about copyright violations and the threat it posed to the media industry.
