Google posts new Veo video — OpenAI should be worried

Google's AI lab DeepMind has released a couple of videos showcasing its new Veo artificial intelligence video platform, Google's answer to OpenAI Sora.

These videos show the potential of the system, which is accessible through Google Labs' VideoFX Lab project, and the shots include a variety of camera angles and techniques that users can try out when the platform becomes widely available.

Rather than provide lengthy explanations, Google decided to let the videos speak for themselves, including a time-lapse clip of the Northern Lights lighting up a snowy landscape and a panning shot of a waterfall in the middle of a forest.

What is Veo?

Our generative video model, Veo, gives you more control over your camera. 📹Prompts include: 🔘 Extreme close-ups 🔘 Slow-motion crane shots 🔘 Timelapse and more. 🧵✍️ Prompt: “Timelapse of the northern lights dancing in the arctic sky, twinkling stars, snow-covered… pic.twitter.com/aMwfts0QqOMay 21, 2024

✍️ Prompt: “A panning shot of a waterfall tumbling over a rocky cliff, lush greenery surrounding the falls, and mist rising from the rushing water.” pic.twitter.com/0ncBZtc3XjMay 21, 2024

Veo is Google's most capable video generation model to date. Although not yet fully available to all users worldwide, Veo can create 1080p videos over a minute long in a wide range of cinematic and visual styles.

Users in the US can join VideoFX's waitlist to convert text prompts into AI videos powered by the Veo model.

According to the company, Veo “provides an unprecedented level of creative control, accurately capturing the nuance and tone of your prompts and understanding prompts for all kinds of cinematic effects, including timelapse and scenic aerial photography.”

Diverse styles and videos

✍️ Prompt: “Extreme close-up of a street puddle with shallow depth of field, showcasing a bustling future Tokyo cityscape with bright neon signs, night and lens flares.” pic.twitter.com/ZDxWdC6rUiMay 21, 2024

One of the videos shared by X showed a close-up of a puddle reflecting the dazzling lights of a Tokyo night, showcasing Veo's versatility in capturing the right tone and atmosphere of this classic setting.

Another video shows an aerial shot of the lighthouse surrounded by waves crashing against the surrounding cliffs.

This could be a great option for establishing shots for filmmakers who don't have access to a drone, which aligns with Veo's goal of creating tools that make video production accessible to everyone.

✍️ Prompt: “An aerial view of a lighthouse perched atop a rocky cliff. Dawn light filters in as waves crash against the rocks below.” pic.twitter.com/5K5QZ9UZ6NMay 21, 2024

In X, Google DeepMind writes that the newly published videos are “raw, unedited output,” and that they are accompanied by fairly simple prompts written in plain English — the lighthouse clip was generated using a two-line prompt.

The company clarified that users will be able to create shots like extreme close-ups, slow-motion crane shots, and time-lapses, but added that in addition to these techniques, there are many other possibilities.