OpenAI has announced that it will shut down the Sora AI app. This announcement comes just months after the launch of the video-creating app.
Sora AI was launched by OpenAI last September and aimed to be a direct competitor to TikTok. It was powered by a version of OpenAI’s video-making software of the same name. The only difference is the usage of AI to create videos. Many creators would put themselves (or other famous characters) into situations that looked as if they happened at that time.
Many creators and users have raised concerns about the potential to generate videos of real people and potentially spread misinformation. A similar issue was raised with the usage of Deepfakes. Think of it as something like Photoshop but for videos, which are created with AI.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said that the company will be working on including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving the work the community created using Sora AI. He also said that OpenAI will not be stepping out of the video business, but the shutdown of Sora is purely to refocus on business and coding functions ahead of a potential initial public offering.
The shutdown of Sora AI will turn the app into a footnote rather than a piece of software considered a game-changer. During the day of the announcement, there were some safety guidelines published for the platform, and many employees of the team were not made aware of the decision prior to the day of the announcement, which made them consider changes in themselves.
On the other hand, Disney also opted out of a deal with OpenAI, which looked forward to the technology, especially to be integrated into Disney+ itself. Disney had previously agreed to license iconic characters using OpenAI. This deal also ended upon knowing that the deal was to be carried out in stock warrants rather than a cash licensing fee. Talk about negative alternative payments.
