OpenAI has announced it will discontinue its text-to-video app, Sora, and ax access to its Sora API, focusing instead on a 'super app' that integrates ChatGPT, Codex and Atlas. With plans for an IPO, the company is refocusing resources towards more promising products.

Since launching in 2022, Sora's growth has stalled, with downloads falling from 3.3 million to just over a million within months of release. The cut reflects OpenAI's 'bottom-up' culture, which allocates resources based on emerging ideas rather than top-down strategy.

Now, CEO Sam Altman aims for an all-encompassing consumer interface combining these products in what could be a true super assistant. Codex has become the bright spot, with annualized revenue of over $1 billion and continued growth. However, this shift seems to have strained partnerships, such as Disney's, which is reconsidering its investment.

OpenAI’s decision highlights its competition for top talent in AI research, with departures like VP Jerry Tworek hinting at internal challenges. While the future of Sora's researchers remains unclear, OpenAI hopes this focus will prepare it better for a public market debut.