OpenAI Restores Services After Hours-Long Outage

San Francisco, CA – December 13, 2024
OpenAI’s widely used AI tools, including the ChatGPT assistant, Sora video generator, and its programming interface for software developers, are back online after experiencing an outage early Thursday. The disruption lasted just over four hours, according to OpenAI’s official status page.

The company announced the restoration in a post on X, formerly Twitter, reassuring users that the services were operational again. The incident echoes a similar outage in June that lasted over five hours.

OpenAI has cemented its place as a leader in the tech industry since launching ChatGPT in late 2022. The AI-powered assistant, now a household name, has become a cultural phenomenon, with CEO Sam Altman revealing on December 4 that the technology is engaging 300 million active users each week.

OpenAI’s momentum is also reflected in its valuation, which soared to $157 billion during a funding round in October. The round included investments from longtime partner Microsoft and chipmaker Nvidia, underscoring the company’s significance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

This week has been especially significant for OpenAI. On Monday, the company announced the global rollout of its Sora video generator, making it accessible to users in the U.S. and most other countries. Additionally, Apple integrated ChatGPT into its latest software updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, further expanding the assistant’s reach.

The rapid ascent of OpenAI’s technology has shaped the narrative of the tech industry over the past two years, highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Despite occasional service disruptions, its widespread adoption and continued innovation remain defining factors of its success.