Google has launched a new AI-powered creation tool in its Photos app, making users more creative with photos. Today, the company announced two new features: “Photo to Video Photo” and “Remix.” The first animates stills into short video clips, while the second converts the image into artistic style.
These tools are currently being deployed for Android and iOS users, along with a new “Create” tab. The launch continues to focus on AI, following Google's recent pause of its “Ask Photos” AI search tool. For transparency, all AI-generated content includes digital watermarks.
From stills to animation art
The latest update from Google introduces two important generation AI features. The first “Video from Photo” leverages the company's VEO 2 model to animate still images into dynamic 6-second video clips. Users can select a photo and apply simple prompts such as “subtle movements” to achieve memory.
The second feature, “Remix”, allows users to convert photos into different artistic styles. With options such as anime, comic books, sketches, 3D animations, and more, this tool offers an easy way to rethink your personal photos. Some early commentaries point out that the results are based on a “creepy valley.”
The Photo to Video feature will begin deploying for users on both Android and iOS. “Remix” is expected to continue in the coming weeks and will begin in the US.
A new creative hub with built-in transparency
To streamline the user experience, Google has introduced a new “Create” tab within the Photos app. This section serves as a centralized hub for creative features for all apps, including new AI tools, and includes existing features such as collage and highlight videos.
The Create tab is scheduled to begin rolling out in the US in August. The move suggests that Google is aiming to make its expanding editing tools more discoverable and accessible to its user base.
Tired of growing concerns about AI-generated content, Google has incorporated SynthID digital watermarks into all of their creations from these new features. This invisible marker is designed to provide transparency. The generated video also contains visible watermarks similar to Gemini's content.
This approach applies SynthID to images that have been modified in the Magic Editor tool, consistent with Google's previous move in February 2025. Josh Sassoon, director of UX at Google, highlighted the company's commitment to safety. “We want everyone to have a good experience of photos and videos and remixing, so we're taking safety precautions.”
Ambitious rollouts and readjustment patterns
The launch arrives amid the complex backdrop of Google's AI ambitions. Last month, the company paused the rollout of its “Ask for a photo” AI search feature. Jamie Aspinall from Google Photos Product Manager confirmed on X “It's not where you need to ask for photos.”
This is not an isolated incident. Google has a recent history of re-adjusting AI products after its release. In May 2024, after inaccurate and strange results, “AI Overview” had to be reduced during searches. Previously, in February 2024, Gemini Image Generator stopped to create historically inaccurate images.
These episodes highlight the immeasurable challenge of deploying generated AI at scale, ensuring reliability and safety. Watermarks are an important part of strategy, but their effectiveness is still under discussion. A survey from the University of Maryland pointed out “There's transparency efforts, but AI doesn't provide absolute security for content manipulation.”
Propulsion of discernable AI content is also facilitated by regulatory pressure. The Biden administration's executive order on AI and the European Union's comprehensive AI law highlights the need for clear labeling and authentication of the media in which AI is generated.
Despite the stumbling, Google continues to move forward, viewing its vast user platform as both a testing ground and a canvas for innovation. As Sasson said, “The Photo Library at Google Photos is more than an archive. It's a canvas. I look forward to using these tools to make memories come true in new ways.” The company's strategy also has privacy implications highlighted by a massive $1.375 billion settlement in Texas over data processing in photography and other services.
