On December 12, 2024, OpenAI’s ChatGPT experienced a global outage that left millions of users unable to access its services for nearly three hours. The disruption, which began just before 7 PM ET, also affected OpenAI’s API and Sora services, causing widespread inconvenience across businesses and individuals who rely on these tools for daily operations. Users attempting to log in were met with error messages, leading to frustration and complaints on social media platforms.
Downdetector, a website that tracks outages, reported over 28,000 complaints from users during the incident, which quickly became a trending topic. Many users took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, while some questioned the reliability of the AI tools that have become essential in various industries. OpenAI responded promptly to the outage, acknowledging the issue on X (formerly Twitter) and assuring users that they were working to restore the service as soon as possible.
The outage underlined the growing dependence on AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, highlighting how integral these services have become in both personal and business workflows. Businesses that integrate OpenAI’s API into their operations faced significant disruptions, underscoring the challenges posed by such outages in an increasingly AI-driven world. As these services become more embedded in daily life, the need for reliable and resilient digital infrastructure is more critical than ever.
Despite the widespread impact of the outage, OpenAI successfully resolved the issue within a few hours. By mid-morning IST, services for ChatGPT, API, and Sora were fully restored. OpenAI reassured users with another update on X, confirming the recovery and expressing gratitude for their patience. While some premium subscribers voiced frustration over the downtime, the company’s swift action and clear communication were generally appreciated. As AI continues to shape the digital landscape, ensuring the stability and reliability of these services remains a key priority.
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