AI tools from both OpenAI and Google are facing new usage limits as their popularity skyrockets. Demand for Sora and Nano Banana Pro has surged during the holiday weekend, leading both companies to reduce the number of free generations users can make. The rapid rise in traffic has pushed systems to their limits, and platforms are now adjusting access to ensure stability. Sora and Nano Banana Pro throttling now.

OpenAI Tightens Sora’s Free Usage Sora and Nano Banana Pro throttling

OpenAI confirmed that free users of Sora, its video-generation model, will now receive only six video generations per day. Bill Peebles, head of Sora at OpenAI, said their systems are under heavy strain, joking that “our GPUs are melting.” His comment highlights how quickly the model has become a viral hit.

Although OpenAI did not label these restrictions as temporary, the company emphasized that users can buy additional generations whenever needed. This move aligns with OpenAI’s broader plan to turn Sora into a sustainable, revenue-generating product. Limits for ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro subscribers remain unchanged, reinforcing the company’s strategy to give premium users consistent access.

Google Clips Image Generation on Nano Banana Pro

Google also adjusted its usage policies for Nano Banana Pro, its newly launched image-generation tool. The company reduced daily free image generations from three to two, a change first spotted by 9to5Google. Google noted that these limits might shift often and without prior notice. This flexible policy is common during the early rollout of popular AI tools, especially when server pressure spikes.

In addition, Google appears to be reducing free access to Gemini 3 Pro, suggesting that demand for its flagship AI models is rising faster than expected. These restrictions help Google stabilize performance while encouraging users to explore paid plans.

Why These AI Limits Matter

The popularity of generative AI models, particularly those capable of creating high-quality videos and images, continues to grow. As more people test these tools, platforms face higher operating costs and heavier GPU loads. Companies often respond by adjusting free usage tiers and improving system reliability for all users.

Demand for Sora and Nano Banana Pro shows no signs of slowing. Creators, hobbyists, and professionals are exploring everything from short films to social media content, driving the need for more powerful infrastructure.

What Users Should Expect

If you rely on Sora or Nano Banana Pro for creative projects, you may need to plan your workflow more carefully. Free users must work within tighter limits, while paid users will continue to enjoy higher or unlimited access depending on their subscription. Both OpenAI and Google are also expanding monetization strategies, so future pricing changes or tier adjustments are likely.

The surge in demand highlights how rapidly AI video generation, image generation, and creative automation tools are entering mainstream use. It also shows how companies are balancing accessibility with system performance.

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Sora and Nano Banana Pro Face Throttling as Demand Skyrockets

AI creativity tools have become the center of attention this holiday season, and their popularity is now testing the limits of global GPU infrastructure. Both OpenAI and Google have introduced new usage restrictions on Sora and Nano Banana Pro, two of the most widely used AI generation models today. The surge in user activity has significantly increased server load, forcing companies to scale back free access and prioritize platform stability.

OpenAI Reduces Free Daily Generations for Sora

OpenAI confirmed that free-tier users of Sora, its rapidly growing AI video-generation model, will now be limited to six video generations per day. Bill Peebles, who leads the Sora division, acknowledged the overwhelming traffic, humorously stating that “our GPUs are melting.” His message signals that the service is operating at full capacity, largely driven by viral adoption across social media, advertising, and content-creation communities.

However, OpenAI clarified that users can purchase additional video generations at any time, reinforcing the company’s increasing focus on monetization. This shift mirrors how cloud-based AI services often evolve—offering powerful free capabilities initially and later encouraging users to move toward paid plans as demand grows.

Meanwhile, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro subscribers continue to enjoy stable generation limits. Although OpenAI did not specify the exact caps for these tiers, the company emphasized that premium users will see no reduction at this time.

Google Tightens Nano Banana Pro’s Free Usage

Google is experiencing similar pressure on its systems. The company quietly decreased free image-generation limits on Nano Banana Pro from three images per day to two. The update was spotted by 9to5Google and later confirmed through official messaging. These changes reflect Google’s standard approach to managing popular AI rollouts: introduce the tool widely, observe system load, then adjust limits to maintain performance.

In addition, Google appears to be limiting free access to Gemini 3 Pro, its advanced text and multimodal model. This suggests growing strain across multiple services, as the company channels its computing power to paying customers and enterprise partners.

Why AI Models Are Being Throttled

The industry is reaching an inflection point. High-resolution AI video and advanced image generation require enormous processing power. The current global GPU supply, while growing, still faces constraints. Demand from both casual users and professionals has far outpaced predictions. Consequently, companies like OpenAI and Google must throttle free usage to:

• Prevent system slowdowns
• Ensure fair access
• Prioritize stability for paid subscribers
• Control GPU operating costs
• Protect against service outages during peak hours

Each of these factors contributes to the evolving nature of AI infrastructure management, particularly when models go viral.

The Consumer Impact: What This Means for Users

With these new limits, free users will need to be more selective about when and how they generate content. Quick experimentation becomes harder, and bigger creative projects may require a paid plan or additional purchased credits.

However, there is an upside. Reduced free usage often leads to improved processing speed, more reliable outputs, and fewer server interruptions. This makes the experience smoother for those who rely on these models for professional work.

Paid users will continue to have the most consistent access. For creators relying on AI for video production, marketing campaigns, or visual branding, upgrading may become increasingly practical.

Industry Trend: Monetization Becomes a Priority

Both OpenAI and Google are entering a new competitive phase. As generative AI adoption accelerates, companies must strike a balance between accessibility and profitability. Free tools attract users, but running large-scale models is expensive. Throttling free access pushes more users toward:

• Subscription tiers
• Pay-per-generation credits
• Enterprise-level plans
• Usage bundles

This trend is shaping the future of AI availability. Over time, free tiers may become more limited while premium offerings expand.

A Glimpse Into the Future of AI Creative Tools

Sora and Nano Banana Pro represent the next wave of AI creativity—tools that can help produce marketing videos, 3D concepts, animation prototypes, and socially shareable visuals in seconds. As adoption grows, companies will likely invest in:

• More efficient GPUs
• Larger data centers
• Smarter load-balancing algorithms
• Multi-region model deployments
• Hybrid pricing models

These advancements could eventually restore more generous free usage. For now, however, throttling shows that demand is far ahead of current supply.