OpenAI announced it will shut down its Sora AI video app just months after its launch, marking a major shift in the company’s strategy. In a statement, OpenAI thanked users and creators for their contributions and said it would share more details soon about timelines for the app and API, as well as how users can preserve their work. The decision coincides with Disney’s withdrawal from its $1 billion investment deal with OpenAI, which included licensing some of its characters for use in Sora.

Sora debuted last fall and quickly drew attention in Hollywood for its use of established intellectual property and actor likenesses. OpenAI later adjusted the platform to give studios and talent more control over their content. Disney had planned to integrate Sora’s technology into Disney+, but the app’s closure has effectively ended that collaboration. A Disney spokesperson said the company respects OpenAI’s decision to shift priorities and will continue exploring AI partnerships that respect creators’ rights.

The move leaves Google as the dominant player in large-scale AI video generation, though it has yet to secure licensing deals with major IP holders and faces ongoing legal challenges.