OpenAI is discontinuing its Sora AI video app just six months after launch, despite the app gaining viral popularity. The service was downloaded over 1 million times in its first week and a half, becoming the top free app on the App Store at one point. The company made the announcement in a message thanking users for creating content with the app.

Sora allowed users to upload short 'cameo' videos of themselves, which others could use to generate AI videos with their likeness. The app faced criticism for deepfake videos featuring celebrities, leading OpenAI to restrict unauthorized celebrity likeness creation. These guardrails reportedly diminished user interest and contributed to the app's declining popularity.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees that ending Sora would free up resources for next-generation AI models. The company plans to announce specific timelines for when the app and API will shut down. The discontinuation reflects OpenAI's strategic shift away from experimental consumer products toward developing more advanced AI technologies.