Google is making significant strides in enhancing its photo and video products with innovative generative AI features. Recently, the tech giant announced the rollout of the first wave of generative AI video capabilities for YouTube Shorts. This means that even if you're not a content creator, you'll soon be exposed to a plethora of AI-generated videos, transforming your viewing experience.
According to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, the platform is committed to integrating generative AI into its creator tools for YouTube Shorts. Although existing tools allow for the generation of backgrounds, the next phase will enable creators to produce new video elements using just a text prompt. Starting today, creators can utilize a photo as a foundation for a new generative AI video, opening up a world of creative possibilities.
YouTube is also introducing a variety of easily applicable generative effects, which will be accessible directly from the Shorts camera. Furthermore, an AI playground hub will be introduced, serving as a centralized location for all AI tools, complete with examples and suggested prompts to facilitate content creation. Currently, all YouTube AI video features are powered by the older Veo 2 model, with plans to transition to the more advanced Veo 3 model later this summer.
As of now, the AI features in YouTube Shorts are limited to users in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but Google plans to expand these offerings to more countries in the near future.
In addition to YouTube, Google Photos is also receiving exciting AI video-generation capabilities. Beginning today, users in the US will start to see similar features, allowing them to convert their photos into short videos based on the older Veo 2 model. The animations available will include options for subtle movements or the fun “I’m feeling lucky” option.
In the coming weeks, Google Photos will introduce a feature called Remix, which will present a collection of styles that users can quickly apply to their images. While YouTube is launching the AI playground, Google Photos will unveil a new Create tab. This tab will list all generative AI tools available within the app, making them more visible and accessible as it will occupy a prominent position in the bottom navigation bar. The Create tab is expected to roll out in August, also initially restricted to US users.
Google is taking this opportunity to emphasize its commitment to safety and authenticity by employing SynthID, a digital watermarking technology, on all AI-generated images and videos. This technology aims to make it more difficult to misrepresent AI-generated content as genuine. While this may not pose a significant concern with videos generated from Veo 2, the superior capabilities of Veo 3 could heighten such issues.
Moreover, Google assures users that it conducts ongoing safety analyses to prevent the misuse of its AI video models, though the company acknowledges that determined troll behavior can be challenging to eliminate completely.
With these advancements in AI technology for its photo and video products, Google is poised to revolutionize the way users create and interact with content, making it more engaging and accessible than ever before.
