YouTube Introduces Tools for Animated Photos and Vibrant Sketch Videos on Shorts
In an exciting development for video creators and users alike, YouTube has rolled out a new set of features for its Shorts platform. The new additions, available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, aim to revolutionise the way users create and share short videos.
One of the standout features is the "Photo to video" tool, which transforms still images from a user's camera roll into six-second videos with subtle movements or creative effects. To use the tool, simply tap the create button, access the media picker by tapping "Add" in the bottom left, select your desired image, choose "Photo to video" from the suggestions, and tap "Create video". You can then adjust video settings before uploading the resulting animated clip.
This innovative tool is powered by Google's advanced Veo 2 AI video generation model, similar to AI features found in Google Photos and Meta’s Animate tool. The "Photo to video" feature brings life to landscape photos, everyday pictures, or group photos by creating gentle motion or creative transformations, such as zooming into a dancing symbol from a static image.
YouTube has not stopped there. The platform has also introduced a new "AI Playground" within Shorts, accessible by tapping the "Create" button and the sparkle icon in the top right corner. Inside this creative space, users will find sample prompts, tools for making images and music, and random experimental features. The new effects, which include doodle manipulation and selfie transformations, are also powered by Veo 2.
Sarah Ali, VP of product management for YouTube Creation Experiences, announced these new features. It's important to note that all AI-generated content from the new tools comes stamped with a watermark to ensure transparency.
While the "AI Playground" is not intended to replace creativity, it's designed to save time or change Shorts styles. Every creation in the "AI Playground" will have a SynthID watermark to indicate AI-generated content.
In addition to these new features, Google has announced that Veo 3 is coming later this summer. The new tools for Shorts creators are part of YouTube's ongoing rollout and are available under the ✨ (generative AI) icon in the Shorts camera.
These updates mark a significant step forward in YouTube's commitment to empowering creators and enhancing the user experience on its platform. With the "Photo to video" tool and the "AI Playground", YouTube Shorts is set to offer even more creative possibilities for its users.
Using Google's advanced Veo 2 AI video generation model, the new "Photo to video" tool on YouTube Shorts revolutionizes short video creation, transforming static images into animated clips with subtle movements or creative effects. On the other hand, the new "AI Playground" within Shorts, powered by Veo 2, offers sample prompts, creative tools, and experimental features, including doodle manipulation and selfie transformations, aimed at saving creators' time or changing Shorts styles.
