Google Brings Image-To-Video AI Features To YouTube Shorts And Photos
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Google has launched a fresh wave of generative AI tools across YouTube Shorts and Google Photos , adding new creative options for users and content creators. The tech giant’s move, powered by its text-to-video model Veo 2 , allows users to transform photos into short videos and experiment with AI-generated effects.
These updates are part of Google's broader push to embed AI-powered creativity tools across its popular platforms, making video creation faster, easier and more engaging.
What’s new for YouTube Shorts creators?
Users can now take a single photo and, with the help of AI, generate dynamic short videos from it. YouTube Shorts also offers an array of generative AI effects , accessible via the “AI playground” tab in the Shorts camera.
By tapping the “Effects” icon and selecting “AI”, creators can explore features that turn selfies into animated videos or see themselves in scenarios like diving underwater or twinning with a character. The Remix feature goes further, transforming photos into sketches, 3D animations, comic book art or even anime-inspired clips – all in just a few taps.
Currently, these tools are available in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with plans to roll out to more countries soon.
Google Photos gets creative too
Google Photos is also introducing an AI-powered “Create” tab, where users can animate their photos into videos using generative AI. While the Create tab is initially limited to US users, Google is expected to expand it globally by August.
These updates aim to help users do more than simply store photos – they can now reimagine them into shareable, creative videos with minimal effort.
What’s next?
Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, previously hinted that generative AI tools would be coming to Shorts, including tools that generate new video elements from text prompts. As part of this plan, Google plans to upgrade to Veo 3, which could further boost creative possibilities by offering even more advanced AI-generated content.
These AI tools add a playful twist to everyday creativity, letting users see themselves in new, unexpected ways – and giving content creators fresh options for storytelling.
These updates are part of Google's broader push to embed AI-powered creativity tools across its popular platforms, making video creation faster, easier and more engaging.
What’s new for YouTube Shorts creators?
Users can now take a single photo and, with the help of AI, generate dynamic short videos from it. YouTube Shorts also offers an array of generative AI effects , accessible via the “AI playground” tab in the Shorts camera.By tapping the “Effects” icon and selecting “AI”, creators can explore features that turn selfies into animated videos or see themselves in scenarios like diving underwater or twinning with a character. The Remix feature goes further, transforming photos into sketches, 3D animations, comic book art or even anime-inspired clips – all in just a few taps.
Currently, these tools are available in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with plans to roll out to more countries soon.
Google Photos gets creative too
Google Photos is also introducing an AI-powered “Create” tab, where users can animate their photos into videos using generative AI. While the Create tab is initially limited to US users, Google is expected to expand it globally by August. These updates aim to help users do more than simply store photos – they can now reimagine them into shareable, creative videos with minimal effort.
What’s next?
Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, previously hinted that generative AI tools would be coming to Shorts, including tools that generate new video elements from text prompts. As part of this plan, Google plans to upgrade to Veo 3, which could further boost creative possibilities by offering even more advanced AI-generated content. These AI tools add a playful twist to everyday creativity, letting users see themselves in new, unexpected ways – and giving content creators fresh options for storytelling.
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