Google Expands Veo 2 Video-Generating AI Model to Premium Users
Veo 2 Now Available to Gemini Advanced Subscribers
Google is bringing its Veo 2 video-generating AI model to users who pay for Gemini Advanced, the company’s premium AI plan. This expansion comes as Google looks to deliver an answer to OpenAI’s Sora video generation platform, and as competition in the space grows fiercer.
Key Features of Veo 2
Starting Tuesday, Gemini Advanced subscribers will be able to select Veo 2 from the model drop-down menu in Google’s Gemini apps. Users can create eight-second video clips at 720p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and upload these clips to TikTok, YouTube, and more via Gemini’s "share" button. Veo 2-generated videos can also be downloaded as MP4 files, watermarked with Google’s SynthID tech.
Limitations and Integrations
There’s a limit to how many videos users can create each month, and the Google Workspace business and education plans aren’t supported at the moment, the company says. Additionally, Veo 2 is being integrated with Whisk, an experimental feature in Google Labs that lets you use images as prompts with Gemini to create new images. A new feature, Whisk Animate, lets users take images they’ve generated and turn them into eight-second, Veo 2-generated videos.
Future Plans and Concerns
Google’s applications of Veo 2 may seem fairly basic at the moment. However, the CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, recently said that the company plans to eventually combine its Gemini AI models with Veo to improve the former’s understanding of the physical world. Meanwhile, many artists and creators are wary of video generators like Veo 2, which threaten to upend entire creative industries. A 2024 study commissioned by the Animation Guild, a union representing Hollywood animators and cartoonists, estimates that more than 100,000 U.S.-based film, television, and animation jobs will be disrupted by AI by 2026.
Conclusion
Google’s expansion of Veo 2 to premium users marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI-powered video generation space. While the technology holds promise for creators and businesses, it also raises important questions about the future of work and the impact of AI on industries.
FAQs
Q: What is Veo 2?
A: Veo 2 is a video-generating AI model developed by Google.
Q: What is Gemini Advanced?
A: Gemini Advanced is a premium AI plan offered by Google.
Q: What are the limitations of Veo 2?
A: There’s a limit to how many videos users can create each month, and the Google Workspace business and education plans aren’t supported at the moment.
Q: What is Whisk Animate?
A: Whisk Animate is a new feature that lets users take images they’ve generated and turn them into eight-second, Veo 2-generated videos.
