OpenAI just dumped Sora and its $1 billion deal with Disney

On Tuesday afternoon, OpenAI announced “we’re saying goodbye to Sora,” the video creation tool it launched at the end of 2024, which centered in a massive licensing deal with Disney just a few months ago. The Wall Street Journal I reported on the move earlier, saying that OpenAI head Sam Altman informed employees that both the TikTok-like Sora app and API access for developers would be discontinued, with no plans to roll out the feature in ChatGPT as was previously the case. Rumor.

Sora:

We say goodbye to Sora. To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built a community around it: thank you. What she did with Sora was important, and we know this news is disappointing.

We’ll share more soon, including implementation timelines, API, and details about keeping you working. -Team Sora

last week, Wall Street Journal I mentioned OpenAI runs on ChatGPT Desktop “super app” to simplify its product lineup around Codex and its AI browser, used by CEO Fidji Simo Comment ontweeted: “Companies go through exploration phases and refocus phases; both are critical. But when new bets start to work, as we’re seeing now with Codex, it’s so important to double down on them and avoid distractions. Really glad we’re seizing this moment.”