YouTube Shorts is integrating generative AI (GenAI) tools into its creation hub, introducing features such as photo-to-video generation, AI-powered video effects, and content creation through Google’s AI Playground. These new capabilities are set to roll out over the coming weeks in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The new GenAI functions are housed within the Shorts creation hub, enabling users to generate content from existing photos, videos, or even drawings. A key feature is the photo-to-video tool, which allows users to create short video clips from a single image based on a provided suggestion. While the exact length limit for these generated clips has not been detailed, they are anticipated to be brief.
Additionally, the effects section of the Shorts app will gain new AI-powered options. One notable addition is an underwater effect, which generates frames to visually depict the subject as being underwater during the video. Users will also be able to transform phone doodles into colorful generated images within the effects section. The platform also integrates Google’s AI Playground, allowing users to create full videos and music using prompts, similar to large language models (LLMs). This generated content can then be uploaded to YouTube Shorts.
YouTube has stated that all AI-generated content will be clearly labeled to indicate its artificial origin. Currently, these AI tools are powered by Veo 2, Google’s second-best generation model for video. However, YouTube has confirmed that they will transition to Veo 3, the company’s latest generation model, though no specific timeframe for this upgrade has been provided.
