OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its powerful AI video model, app and API
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## OpenAI Abruptly Shuts Down Sora, Its AI Video Model and Social Network OpenAI has announced the shutdown of Sora, its powerful AI video model, app, and
OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its powerful AI video model, app and API
OpenAI Abruptly Shuts Down Sora, Its AI Video Model and Social Network
OpenAI has announced the shutdown of Sora, its powerful AI video model, app, and API, leaving users and developers in the dark about the exact shutdown date. In a message posted on X, the company promised "timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work" but did not provide any further information. Sora, which was first previewed in February 2024, was designed to be a social network where users could insert AI-generated lifelike versions of themselves and their friends into videos.
Background & Context
Sora was a highly anticipated product that wowed the world with its highly realistic scene-crafting capabilities. However, its release in 2024 was met with mixed reception, and it struggled to compete with other video AI model providers such as Runway, Luma, and Chinese AI companies Kling and Minimax. Despite this, OpenAI continued to build out the video model and enable creators, releasing a Sora 2 model over API and apps for iOS and Android in the latter half of 2025. The app briefly hit number one in downloads on the Apple App Store, and the company even secured a $1 billion equity investment deal with entertainment giant Disney in December 2025 to bring popular Disney characters to Sora.
Impact on Swiss SMEs & Finance
The shutdown of Sora may have significant implications for Swiss SMEs and the finance sector. The app's AI video generation capabilities were seen as a game-changer for the entertainment and media industries, and its shutdown may lead to a loss of business opportunities for Swiss companies that were exploring the use of Sora's technology. Additionally, the shutdown may also impact the Swiss fintech sector, which has been actively exploring the use of AI and machine learning in various applications.
What to Watch
As OpenAI promises "timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work," users and developers will be watching closely to see how the shutdown of Sora will affect their projects and businesses. The shutdown may also have implications for the broader AI and fintech sectors, and Swiss companies will be monitoring the situation to see how it may impact their own operations and investments.
Source
Original Article: OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its powerful AI video model, app and API
Published: March 24, 2026
Author: carl.franzen@venturebeat.com (Carl Franzen)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
References
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Original Source
This article is based on OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its powerful AI video model, app and API (VentureBeat AI)
