【AI+Sora】OpenAI will discontinue the Sora AI video generation service, ending its partnership with Disney

Six months after the high-profile launch of the Sora standalone app by OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, plans are underway to discontinue the video generation service to streamline its AI product lineup. OpenAI stated that it will also end its partnership with Disney (NYSE: DIS), which previously focused mainly on Sora.

Disney had previously agreed to license iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Cinderella to OpenAI for use in Sora, and had committed to investing $1 billion (78 billion HKD) in OpenAI.

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The Sora team posted on social platform X that they will say goodbye to the Sora app, thanking all users who created, shared, and built communities around Sora. They acknowledged that this news is disappointing and promised to share more information soon, including updates on the app and API, as well as how users can save their works.

▲ 【AI + OpenAI】OpenAI to cease Sora AI video generation service and end Disney partnership

An OpenAI spokesperson said that as the company’s focus and computational needs grow, the Sora research team will continue to concentrate on world simulation research to advance robotics technology and help solve real-world problems.

OpenAI launched the Sora app at the end of September last year, making it easier for users to generate and share realistic AI videos. The Sora app quickly topped the Apple App Store charts but has since fallen in ranking.

This move coincides with OpenAI streamlining its product lineup. Reports previously indicated that OpenAI is developing a desktop application that integrates ChatGPT chatbot, programming tools, and web browsing.