OpenAI Sora Shutdown: AI's Most Expensive Failure

The Timeline: Six Months from Launch to ShutdownOpenAI first previewed Sora as a research project in February 2024, generating enormous excitement with its ability to produce photorealistic video from text prompts. The first public version launched for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users in the United States and Canada in December 2024.1Sora 2, a major upgrade with an iOS app and standalone consumer experience, launched on September 30, 2025.2 An Android app followed two months later. By November 2025, downloads had peaked — and then began a steep decline.On March 24, 2026, OpenAI announced the shutdown.3 The web and app version will go dark on April 26, 2026, with the API following on September 24, 2026. Users have been urged to download their content before the cutoff dates.The entire consumer lifecycle of Sora 2 lasted roughly six months.