Google’s Veo 3 video generation model will soon be incorporated by YouTube into the new Shorts features.
On Wednesday, YouTube revealed that it is providing new generative AI tools, such as an image-to-video AI tool and new AI effects, to Shorts creators and this new Shorts creation tool is one that will simplify and enhance the creative process. It presents a brand-new photo-to-video tool that enables users to use imaginative ideas to transform images from their camera roll into videos. They may freely animate and add movement to still images. Additionally, new generative edits use artificial intelligence (AI) to apply effects that turn selfies into films and doodles into pictures.
With the image to video feature, users can create a six-second video out of a picture from their camera roll. A list of recommendations that are pertinent to the uploaded photo will be displayed to users. According to YouTube, the function may be used to make group images come to life, animate ordinary shots, and add movement to landscape photos.
The function transforms a still image of a pedestrian signal into a brief movie that gradually pans into a dancing walking man symbol in an example provided by YouTube which states in a blog post that Google’s Veo 2 video generation model powers Shorts’ new photo-to-video feature. It can create videos from pictures. For instance, artists can animate ordinary images, group photos, and landscape photography.
With the help of the new AI effects, artists can turn their drawings into beautiful pictures and their selfies into films in which they are twinning with someone, diving underwater, and other scenarios. By selecting the “Effects” icon in the Shorts camera and then tapping “AI,” users can peruse all of the generative effects and discover these new effects.
The feature functions similarly to one that Gemini already offers. Additionally, it is comparable to Meta’s Edits app’s Animate tool, which likewise uses AI to turn still images into videos.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan revealed at Cannes Lions 2025 this month that Google’s Veo 3 video generator, which can produce both audio and video, will be arriving at Shorts later this summer. Additionally, he disclosed that Shorts now receive over 200 billion views every day on average.
YouTube also declared on Wednesday that its new platform for generative AI creation tools, motivational examples, pre-made prompts, and more is called AI Playground. You can get it for free on YouTube Shorts. By tapping the Create button and then the sparkling icon in the upper right corner, creators can locate AI Playground. You must pick a picture from the camera roll, select an original idea, and then press the “Create video” button to turn it into a video. For creators in the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, and over the course of the upcoming week, this feature will be made available as it will be rolled out. Also later this year, YouTube intends to expand its reach. Note that a comparable image-to-video capability is also coming to Google Photos.
In the upcoming months, the company plans to integrate the most recent Veo 3 video generating model as well.
Additionally, it is accessible in the same areas where photo-to-video is being introduced. According to Google, additional producers worldwide will soon be able to use this feature as well. The Veo 2 video generation technology now powers the generative effects in YouTube Shorts, however Veo 3 integration will be added soon.
The internet giant has a new AI playground where users may access all of the AI technologies accessible in YouTube Shorts. It provides a number of reference templates in addition to the most up-to-date generative AI-powered production tools. Additionally, there are pre-filled prompts that can be utilized to swiftly and easily push out shorts.
With this update, Google Photos’ generative AI capabilities—which were already much superior to anything Apple offers in the iOS Photos app—are further enhanced. However, the two companies take different tacks. Apple’s Image Playground tool won’t produce photorealistic images to allay worries about things like deepfakes and false information, whereas Google lets your imagination run wild (sometimes to worrying limits).
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