AI video generator arrived in the UK and Europe just over a year ago

OpenAI Sora

OpenAI has closed down the Sora app and website, its AI video generator. 

The platform, which became available in the UK and Europe in February 2025 and launched a standalone app just six months ago, had its closure announced via posts on its social media channels. The company posted on X, “We’re saying goodbye to the Sora app. To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered, and we know this news is disappointing.

“We’ll share more soon, including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work. – The Sora Team.”

The BBC has reported that OpenAI also says the platform has been closed down so that OpenAI can concentrate on tools “that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks,” such as robotics, and that the company will no longer focus on video generation tools. 

It is unclear if the video generating model will continue to be available through ChatGPT or embeded in other platforms. 

Sora could generate videos with up to 1080p resolution, up to 20 sec long, in widescreen, vertical or square aspect ratios, and could work from existing assets to extend, remix or blend content. There have been concerns over its ability to create deepfakes, and alleged creation of videos with copyrighted material. 

Following the closure, Disney has also ended its deal with OpenAI which would have seen it invest $1 billion in the company  and allowed its characters to be used in AI generated videos. You can read more about that here. 

Topics