YouTube has introduced new AI-powered tools that let users turn ordinary photos into short videos, all within the Shorts camera.
The new Photo to Video feature allows creators to upload a picture from their phone and instantly transform it into a six-second animated clip.
Based on the image, YouTube suggests creative ways to add movement; from making landscapes sway to animating group selfies.
“Just select your image, choose a creative suggestion, and watch your memories come alive,” YouTube explained in its release.
The platform also introduced a fresh set of AI effects under the Shorts camera. These tools can turn quick doodles into styled visuals or place you into playful video scenes; like floating underwater or standing beside a digital twin.
To access these tools, open the Shorts camera, tap on the Effects icon, then go to the AI tab. Both features are free and currently available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans to expand to more regions, including Nigeria, later this year.
The tools are powered by YouTube’s generative video model Veo 2, with an upgrade, Veo 3, expected to launch later this summer.
YouTube’s update comes alongside a similar rollout from Google Photos, adds to a growing set of creative options AI can bring to the media world, especially for mobile users and creators looking to make engaging Shorts content with less effort and no extra editing apps. Whether, this will pose a threat to video and photo editing apps, time will tell.
