YouTube has introduced a set of new AI-powered tools for its Shorts platform, making short-form video creation more dynamic and user-friendly. Among the highlights is the “Photo to Video” feature, which allows users to transform still images from their camera roll into animated short videos with movement, effects, and templates. This feature is currently free and rolling out in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans for global expansion later this year. The new tools aim to make content creation more accessible and playful for users.
the playground is open on Shorts
bring your camera roll to life by transforming photos into videos
dive into a world of Veo effects and doodle effects
discover our new AI playground, an all in one hub for creation featureshttps://t.co/JtYKb0Ab6x pic.twitter.com/O6dO9e73XJ
— YouTube (@YouTube) July 23, 2025
YouTube is expanding its suite of AI-powered features for Shorts by launching new generative effects. These include the ability to simulate underwater environments or create “twinning” effects from a single selfie, allowing users to duplicate their image within a short video. These creative tools are powered by Google’s Veo 2 model, with an upgrade to Veo 3 planned for integration later this summer. Users can access these effects directly via the Effects icon in the Shorts camera interface.
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In addition to effects, YouTube is rolling out an AI Playground—a central hub for creators to experiment with its full range of generative AI tools. The Playground includes pre-filled prompts, an inspiration gallery, and content creation tools for videos, images, music, and more. It can be accessed by tapping the Create button in the app and selecting the sparkle icon on the top-right. This feature is designed to help users explore and push creative boundaries using AI.
Beyond YouTube, Google is integrating photo-to-video capabilities into its Google Photos app and Gemini AI suite. To ensure transparency and content integrity, all AI-generated media will be marked with SynthID watermarks and clear labels, indicating that the content was created using artificial intelligence.
Despite the heavy AI integration, YouTube emphasized that the heart of Shorts lies in authentic creator expression. The company noted, “These tools are here to make creating even more fun, but remember that your unique creativity is what truly makes Shorts shine.” This approach underscores YouTube’s stance on AI being a supportive tool, not a replacement, for genuine storytelling.
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