OpenAI shut down Sora AI video generator due to costs, not controversy

OpenAI has shut down the Sora AI video generator less than a year after it went viral.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sora cost OpenAI about $1 million per day to operate due to high compute needs.

User downloads and engagement declined after launch, reducing Sora's return on investment.

OpenAI appears to have dropped plans to add Sora's video features to ChatGPT and is focusing on productivity tools.