TechCrunch tracks AI products and startups that shut down or faltered

In short: More AI products are being shut down, delayed, or folded into bigger platforms, and TechCrunch has compiled a running list of these cases.

What's going on

TechCrunch published an “AI graveyard” list that tracks AI projects and startups that did not survive, or that missed expectations. It includes smaller startups and well known tech companies.

On the startup side, the list notes that Relay, an AI workflow automation tool (software that connects apps and automates routine steps), shut down in August. TechCrunch also points to Character.ai, a chatbot platform, which filed for bankruptcy about five years after launching.

Inside bigger companies, some AI efforts have stumbled or changed direction. TechCrunch highlights OpenAI’s attempt to turn ChatGPT into a “super app,” which confused some users and was rolled back. It also mentions OpenAI shutting down standalone products like ChatGPT Atlas, and ending Sora, a video sharing platform, in March 2026 due to cost and retention issues.

The article also points to delays and controversy. Apple repeatedly delayed its upgraded Siri AI, and the delay contributed to a $250 million settlement over marketing claims, according to TechCrunch. Microsoft’s Recall, a feature that saves regular screenshots so you can search your past activity (like a computer’s “photographic memory”), drew privacy concerns and has remained controversial even after changes.

TechCrunch adds that this is not rare. It cites S&P Global Market Intelligence research saying about 42% of corporate AI initiatives are eventually abandoned.

What to watch

Expect more AI tools to disappear quietly, or to get absorbed into larger apps, as big companies add similar features. For everyday users, this can mean products you rely on may shut down, change names, or move features behind a different app or subscription.

Source: TechCrunch AI