YouTube Shorts adds AI tools from image to video, new AI effects

YouTube announcement On Wednesday, Shorts creators are now able to access new generation AI features, including inter-image AI tools and new AI effects.

Image-to-Video feature allows users to change images from camera roll to 6-second video. Users can choose from two prompts: “Subtle moves” or “I feel lucky.” YouTube says that this feature can be used to add movement to landscape photos, animate photos from everyday photos, and realize group photos.

In the example specified on YouTube, this feature turns a static image of a pedestrian signal into a short video, then slowly zooms into a dance version of The Walking Man symbol.

This feature works similarly to an Already available offers In Gemini. Plus it’s similar to the “Animation” tool Meta’s editing appIt also uses AI to convert static images to video.

The new tools will be rolled out in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand next week. YouTube plans to bring it to more regions later this year. It is worth noting that Google Photos also acquires similar image-to-video tools.

As for new AI effects, creators use them to turn their graffiti into artistic images, turn their selfies into videos of them swimming underwater, and become twins with someone. Users can find these new effects by going to the “Effects” icon on the Shorts Camera and tapping “AI” to browse all the generated effects.

YouTube points out that the features announced today are powered by Google’s AI model, Veo 2, for video generation. YouTube says it uses Synthid Watermark and Clear Label To demonstrate that these works were generated with AI.

Last month at Cannes Lions 2025, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced it You will see three Google generator videosIt can generate both video and audio, and will be shorts later this summer. He also shared that his shorts are above average. 200 billion viewing every day.

YouTube announced on Wednesday that AI Playground is a new home for generative AI creation tools, inspirational examples, and pre-filled prompts. Creators can find the AI playground by tapping the Create button and then tapping the sparkle icon in the top right corner. It is currently available to everyone in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.