YouTube is launching new AI tools for Shorts creators. The big feature: an image-to-video AI that turns any photo into a six-second moving clip. Upload a picture, and the system suggests video effects based on that image. YouTube showed a pedestrian signal morphing into a dancing walking man.
This tool is like Google’s Gemini photo-to-video feature and Meta’s Animate tool. Rolling out this week in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with more regions coming later in 2025. Google Photos is getting a similar tool soon.
New AI effects are also here. Creators can turn doodles into artsy images or make selfies look like underwater swims or twinning moments. Access these by tapping “Effects” in the Shorts camera, then hit “AI” to browse. 
All this runs on Veo 2, Google’s AI video model. YouTube uses SynthID watermarks and clear labels to mark videos made with AI.
At Cannes Lions 2025 last month, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced Veo 3, an AI that generates video plus audio, is coming to Shorts this summer. Shorts now hit over 200 billion daily views.
YouTube also launched AI Playground, a hub for AI tools, examples, and prompts. Find it by tapping create, then the sparkle icon. Available now in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
YouTube says the feature can be used to add movement to landscape photos, animate pictures of everyday photos, or bring group photos to life.
The feature works similarly to an offering already available in Gemini. Plus, it’s similar to the ‘Animate’ tool in Meta’s Edits app, which also uses AI to transform static images into videos.
YouTube notes that the features announced today are powered by Veo 2, Google’s AI model for video generation. YouTube says it uses SynthID watermarks and clear labels to indicate that these creations were generated with AI.
