In brief
OpenAI has shut down its Sora AI video-generation tool, a product that gained attention for its ability to create videos from textual prompts only two years post-launch. Concurrently, the organization is discontinuing its content partnership with Disney. The decision reflects OpenAI's intention to pivot towards robotics and solutions aimed at addressing real-world challenges. Disney has acknowledged this shift, expressing its respect for OpenAI's direction while also considering new AI collaborations to ensure responsible technology usage.
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 is 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.
