The unprecedented popularity of cutting-edge AI content generation tools has forced technology giants OpenAI and Google to implement strict daily usage limits for their free-tier users. This move comes as both companies struggle with overwhelming demand for their latest artificial intelligence offerings.
Daily Limits: What's Changing for Users?
OpenAI has officially announced that free users of its revolutionary Sora video generation tool will now be restricted to creating just six videos per day. The company's head of Sora, Bill Peebles, confirmed this development through a social media post, stating clearly: "We're setting usage limits for free users to 6 gens/day."
Meanwhile, Google has implemented even stricter limitations for users of its Nano Banana Pro image generation tool. Free users accessing the Gemini 3 Pro Image-powered platform are now limited to generating and editing just two images per day. This represents a significant reduction compared to the previous Nano Banana version, which still allows 100 images daily using the Gemini 2.5 technology.
Why Are These Limits Necessary?
The primary reason behind these restrictions lies in the enormous computational power required to run these advanced AI models. Bill Peebles from OpenAI humorously but revealingly noted: "Our GPUs are melting, and we want to let as many people access Sora as possible!"
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are specialized computer chips that AI companies extensively use to process massive amounts of data for developing and running large language models. While Peebles' statement about "melting GPUs" was somewhat exaggerated, it underscores the genuine strain these AI tools are placing on computational resources.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later clarified in a Bloomberg interview that his similar comments about melting GPUs during the viral ChatGPT Ghibli trend were meant as a joke. "I didn't realise people were going to take that literally... They were running really hot, but the metal was not actually melting," Altman explained.
Premium Users Remain Unaffected
Importantly, these new restrictions primarily target free users while leaving paying customers unaffected. OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers will continue to enjoy unchanged access limits to Sora video generation capabilities. The company also mentioned that all users have the option to purchase additional generations as needed.
Google's approach appears more complex, with their support page for free access to Gemini 3 Pro Thinking indicating that "Basic access – daily limits may change frequently," suggesting these restrictions might evolve based on demand patterns and available resources.
The timing of these limitations coincides with a holiday weekend in the United States, when many users typically have more free time to experiment with new technologies. This surge in recreational usage likely contributed to the decision to implement these restrictions to ensure system stability and fair access for all users.
These developments serve as a crucial reminder of the substantial computational power and energy consumption required for generating AI-powered images and videos. As artificial intelligence continues to advance and become more accessible, the infrastructure demands are becoming increasingly apparent, prompting companies to balance user accessibility with system sustainability.
