At its Made on YouTube live event on Tuesday, YouTube announced a major update for creators by unveiling a set of generative AI tools designed specifically for Shorts. With features like a new text-to-video model, remixing options, and automated editing, the platform is aiming to make short-form content creation more creative, seamless, and accessible for everyone.
Veo 3 Fast: Text-to-Video with Sound
A centerpiece of the announcement is Veo 3 Fast, a custom version of Google’s powerful text-to-video generative AI model. Unlike earlier iterations, Veo 3 Fast focuses on speed, delivering lower latency video outputs at 480p resolution. For the first time, users can also generate these clips with sound, which significantly enhances the creative possibilities.
Initially, Veo 3 Fast is rolling out in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with more countries to follow in the near future.
New Motion, Style, and Object Capabilities
YouTube is also introducing fresh creative capabilities powered by Veo. Creators will soon be able to animate still images by applying motion from an existing video—such as making a person in a photo replicate a dance move. Additionally, users can transform their Shorts by applying artistic styles like pop art or origami effects, giving videos a unique visual identity.
Another exciting upgrade is the option to add objects or props directly through text prompts. This feature lets creators enrich their Shorts by simply describing the characters or elements they want to insert, making the editing process more dynamic and fun.
These updates are set to roll out over the coming months.
Speech-to-Song Remixing
Another highlight is the Speech-to-Song remixing tool. With this, creators can transform lines of dialogue from eligible videos into catchy soundtracks for Shorts. The tool is powered by Google’s AI music model Lyria 2, enabling creators to adjust the soundtrack’s mood, whether “chill,” “danceable,” or “fun.”
“YouTube is where trends are born and where you can draw inspiration from,” said Dina Berrada, YouTube’s Director of Product, Shorts and Generative AI Creation. “With our new remixing tool, you’ll be able to turn a funny phrase or memorable quote into a brand-new sound.”
YouTube plans to begin testing this feature soon in the U.S., with broader availability expected in the coming weeks.
Edit with AI: Smarter Drafting
To simplify video creation, YouTube also introduced Edit with AI, a feature that converts raw footage into a polished first draft. The AI analyzes camera roll clips, selects the best moments, adds transitions and music, and even generates a voiceover in English or Hindi that reacts to what’s happening in the video.
This tool is currently being tested within Shorts and the YouTube Create app, with gradual expansion planned for select markets.
YouTube’s latest generative AI tools mark a big step toward making Shorts creation easier, faster, and more imaginative. From Veo 3 Fast’s text-to-video capabilities to remixing dialogue into songs and AI-assisted editing, these innovations are set to transform how creators produce and share short-form videos. As these features roll out globally, YouTube is reinforcing its position as a leading creative hub in the age of AI-powered content.
