What is AI Video Generation?
AI video generation creates short video clips from text prompts or reference images. You describe a scene, specify a style, and the AI generates a video clip (typically 5 to 20 seconds long) with realistic motion, lighting, and physics. This technology is still in its early stages compared to image generation, but it is advancing rapidly and already useful for creating short form content, prototyping ideas, and visual storytelling.
Common use cases- Creating short promotional clips, social media content, or animated explainers
- Prototyping video concepts before investing in full production
- Generating visual effects, transitions, or artistic video content
Sora lifecycle
Sora 1 Launch
2024
6 second limit, no audio, basic creative controls. Impressive visuals but significant limitations.
Sora 2
Late 2025
20 second videos, synchronized audio, Pro quality tier, improved storyboard and remix tools.
Sora 1 Sunset
March 13, 2026
Sora 1 officially sunset. Free tier removed.
Full Shutdown Announced
March 24, 2026
OpenAI announces it is discontinuing Sora entirely. Disney ends $1B partnership.
App Discontinued
April 26, 2026
Sora web and app experiences go offline. Users can export content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset. Sora credits can be repurposed for Codex.
API Discontinuation
September 24, 2026
The Sora API will be fully discontinued.
Sora 1 Launch
2024
6 second limit, no audio, basic creative controls. Impressive visuals but significant limitations.
Sora 2
Late 2025
20 second videos, synchronized audio, Pro quality tier, improved storyboard and remix tools.
Sora 1 Sunset
March 13, 2026
Sora 1 officially sunset. Free tier removed.
Full Shutdown Announced
March 24, 2026
OpenAI announces it is discontinuing Sora entirely. Disney ends $1B partnership.
App Discontinued
April 26, 2026
Sora web and app experiences go offline. Users can export content at sora.chatgpt.com/sunset. Sora credits can be repurposed for Codex.
API Discontinuation
September 24, 2026
The Sora API will be fully discontinued.