- Google Photos adds the ability to turn still images into 6-second AI-generated videos
- The platform is also adding a tool called Remix, which remakes images into different styles
- All generated content contains visible and invisible watermarks
Google Photos is rolling out a new generation AI feature that allows you to turn still images into short video clips, which makes someone in the photo easy to bring to life and includes natural movements. The video tool from photos uses Google's VEO 2 AI video model. This is the same model deployed on YouTube, Gemini, and other parts of the Google ecosystem. This feature does not convert a snapshot into a full movie trailer. Just create a 6-second clip.
Once you're given the option to create an image in the video, select the image image you want to animate, then select either “Subtle Movement” or “I Feel Good Luck” from the button below. As you can imagine, the subtle movement choices have the people in the photo moving around a bit. This model is designed to guess what happened in that frozen second. Any other option can be done, and perhaps even throw confetti in the air.
The update is currently being deployed in the US on Android and iOS, but there will be other AI tools in Google Photos later this summer. Most notably, the remix feature will arrive in the coming weeks. Remix takes existing photos and makes them look like comic book panels, anime stills, 3D renderings, or pencil sketch art. It's an ability already offered by Gemini and many of its rivals, but now it's built directly into your photo gallery and doesn't need to write a full prompt.
All of this is put together in a new section of an app called The Create Tab. It serves as a hub for these tools and uses other AI features that Google can release in the coming months. Soon, it will include photo-to-video photos and remix features along with existing collages to highlight video creators. But as VEO gets smarter and Google's confidence grows, the possibilities could expand to any AI enhancement, including extended video clips, narration, and multi-image stories.
The packaging is important here. This is the first time that the photo-to-video generation has been incorporated into a mainstream app like Google Photos. The company claims it has over 1 billion users.
AI-powered video tools such as Sora and Veo create headlines of incredible realism and deepfake possibilities. However, Google Photos has not pitched this update as a creative revolution. It is presented as a memory enhancement. That said, Google doesn't mistakenly fool anyone about where new images and videos came from. Therefore, every AI-generated video or remix has a visible label that indicates that the content was created with AI. Each also includes an invisible synthesis watermark that identifies the AI behind its production, just like it is used in all Gemini images and video generators.
AI Photography Inspiration
It's unlikely that Google will simply drop these new features and move on. After all, the company has already deployed the Veo 3, the latest iteration of inter-text models, to Gemini and YouTube, offering high-quality short videos with synced dialogs and background audio. Tools that animate stills today may narrate them tomorrow.
This is something that people who don't constantly try out the latest AI toys will like to share photos and see photos taken by others. It's easy to enjoy the idea of moving your selfies, but it's a kind of feature that attracts many users who want to see how Ai can animate.
