Google expands AI photo-to-video tools to Photos and YouTube Shorts

Google is expanding its AI-powered photo-to-video capabilities to Google Photos and YouTube Shorts, bringing the technology that debuted in its Gemini app to a broader audience. The rollout represents Google’s push to democratize AI video generation tools, though these implementations come with more limitations than the original Gemini version.

What you should know: The new features use Google’s older Veo 2 video model rather than the more advanced Veo 3 that powers Gemini’s photo-to-video tool.

• Google Photos users can create six-second video clips from still images, while YouTube Shorts allows variable clip lengths.
• Unlike Gemini, neither tool accepts custom prompts—users must select from predetermined options like “Subtle movements” or “I’m feeling lucky.”
• The Google Photos feature launches today for US Android and iOS users, with YouTube Shorts rolling out over the next week in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Key details: A new Remix tool will transform photos into different artistic styles, including anime, comics, sketches, and 3D animation.

• The Remix feature arrives for US Android and iOS users in the coming weeks.
• Both tools will be housed under a new Create tab in Google Photos, launching next month to consolidate creative features in one location.
• YouTube Shorts is also getting generative AI effects that can create images from doodles and apply video effects like underwater swimming or user duplication.

Important limitations: Google warns that both features are “experimental” and may produce inaccurate results.

• All generated content includes Google’s invisible SynthID digital watermark for authenticity tracking.
• Videos created in Google Photos also carry visible watermarks to clearly identify AI-generated content.
• Users can provide thumbs up or down feedback to help improve the tools.

The big picture: This expansion highlights the divergent approaches between Google and Apple in AI-powered creative tools.

• Google’s strategy embraces wide-open creative possibilities, sometimes pushing concerning boundaries.
• Apple’s Image Playground deliberately avoids photorealistic generation to mitigate deepfake and misinformation risks.
• YouTube’s new AI Playground hub, accessible via a sparkle icon, centralizes these generative tools for easier discovery.

Why this matters: The rollout significantly expands access to AI video generation beyond Google’s premium Gemini service, democratizing tools that were previously limited to more technical users while maintaining safety guardrails through watermarking and content restrictions.