GoKawiilMishaal Rahman / Android Authority
There was a point when everybody knew what Sora was, even if — nay, especially if — they were outside the tech circle. The insanely realistic demo videos drew widespread attention, and OpenAI’s video generation tool went viral overnight, quite literally. It felt like it was having its own ChatGPT moment at the time. Fast forward to today, and Sora is officially dead.
Its demise might lead you to believe that the video generation category itself is having a tough time, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our entire social feed is filled with AI-generated slop these days, and Google’s Veo — Sora’s direct competitor — is thriving, as are a dozen other similar tools. So, what did Sora get wrong? And what exactly is Google doing right to stay on top of the video generation game?
Be honest — how do you feel about AI video content? 12 votes I enjoy it 8 % It’s getting repetitive 8 % It’s mostly garbage 33 % I scroll past it 50 %
Sora had the hype but not the plan
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Sora may have caught your attention with its unreal demos early on, but production tools are only as good as the kinds and numbers of creators using them. The latter is more crucial because, given how fast AI cycles move, hype alone can’t sustain a product that isn’t generally accessible. Even in its early days and until recently, Sora’s access was limited to a handful of users. You cannot expect a product to turn short-term virality into sustained success if it relies solely on paid subscriptions in just two countries.
You cannot expect a product to turn short-term virality into sustained success if it exclusively works on a paid subscription in just two countries.
Accessibility is one (quite substantial) part of a video production tool. The second part is just as important: product integration. Video production isn’t a single-tool job, even with the help of the most advanced AI. You need tons of third-party integrations and production options to turn your imagination into reality. Even with its limited user base, OpenAI couldn’t deliver the necessary integrations and tools to Sora as quickly as the industry demands.
When people can’t use your tool the way they want to, they quickly move on to a hundred other alternatives, often never to look back.
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