OpenAI plans to integrate its AI video generator Sora into ChatGPT as part of a strategy to boost user engagement and expand its audience. This move comes amid slowing growth for ChatGPT, which has reportedly lost millions of users and faces rising competition from Google's Gemini.
The company is also advancing Sora's monetization, having introduced a model where users can purchase additional video generations beyond a daily free limit. The Sora head cited unsustainable economics due to high demand from power users and outlined a vision for a future "Sora economy" where rights holders and creators could monetize content.
Main Topics: OpenAI's integration of Sora into ChatGPT; ChatGPT's slowing user growth and competition from Google Gemini; Monetization strategy for the Sora video generator.
OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, is planning to offer its AI video generator tool Sora within ChatGPT, according to a report by The Information. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing user engagement and expanding the platformâs audience.
The company launched Sora as a standalone app in 2025 to compete with short-video platforms such as TikTok. The tool allows users to create short videos using artificial intelligence (AI).
ChatGPT user growth slows
The development comes as ChatGPT faces slower user growth. The report says the chatbot has lost millions of users after signing a contract with the United States Department of Defense earlier this month.
Data from Sensor Tower also indicates rising competition from Google Gemini. According to the firm, ChatGPTâs global monthly active users increased by around 6% between August and November to roughly 810 million. In contrast, during the same period, Geminiâs monthly active users rose by about 30%, along with faster growth in downloads and time spent on the app.
Sora monetisation
Per the pricing model OpenAI introduced for Sora last October, users could generate 10 additional videos for $4 after exhausting their limit of 30 free videos per day. Bill Peebles, whoâs the head of Sora, had noted then that Pro users could still generate up to 100 videos per day, though this may decrease when users choose more resource-intensive settings.
âWe are launching the ability to buy extra gens in Sora today. We are doing this for two main reasons: First, we have been quite amazed by how much our power users want to use Sora, and the economics are currently completely unsustainable. We thought 30 free gens/day would be more than enough, but clearly we were wrong! This will let our pro creators get as much usage as they want to pay for.
âSecond, this is a step towards a new sora economy. We imagine a world where rights holders have the option to charge extra for cameos of beloved characters and people. We will soon pilot monetization, prioritizing people and companies who got onto the platform early. This will also be a way for a new generation of Sora creators to make money,â he added.
However, Peebles stressed that the number of free videos may eventually be reduced as the platform grows. According to him, the company must balance demand with the limited availability of the high computing resources needed to run the system.
âBut weâll be transparent as it happens. In the meantime, enjoy the crazy usage limits,â he said.
The company launched Sora as a standalone app in 2025 to compete with short-video platforms such as TikTok. The tool allows users to create short videos using artificial intelligence (AI).
ChatGPT user growth slows
The development comes as ChatGPT faces slower user growth. The report says the chatbot has lost millions of users after signing a contract with the United States Department of Defense earlier this month.
Data from Sensor Tower also indicates rising competition from Google Gemini. According to the firm, ChatGPTâs global monthly active users increased by around 6% between August and November to roughly 810 million. In contrast, during the same period, Geminiâs monthly active users rose by about 30%, along with faster growth in downloads and time spent on the app.
Sora monetisation
Per the pricing model OpenAI introduced for Sora last October, users could generate 10 additional videos for $4 after exhausting their limit of 30 free videos per day. Bill Peebles, whoâs the head of Sora, had noted then that Pro users could still generate up to 100 videos per day, though this may decrease when users choose more resource-intensive settings.
âWe are launching the ability to buy extra gens in Sora today. We are doing this for two main reasons: First, we have been quite amazed by how much our power users want to use Sora, and the economics are currently completely unsustainable. We thought 30 free gens/day would be more than enough, but clearly we were wrong! This will let our pro creators get as much usage as they want to pay for.
âSecond, this is a step towards a new sora economy. We imagine a world where rights holders have the option to charge extra for cameos of beloved characters and people. We will soon pilot monetization, prioritizing people and companies who got onto the platform early. This will also be a way for a new generation of Sora creators to make money,â he added.
However, Peebles stressed that the number of free videos may eventually be reduced as the platform grows. According to him, the company must balance demand with the limited availability of the high computing resources needed to run the system.
âBut weâll be transparent as it happens. In the meantime, enjoy the crazy usage limits,â he said.
Meridiano
