Google’s New AI Video Is Here, But What It Can Do Will Shock You!

Google’s finally tossed its hat (or rather, its tensor processing unit) into the AI video ring. Veo 2, the search giant’s AI video model, is now available to paying Gemini Advanced subscribers. That’s right, pony up the cash if you want to play director.

Paywalled Premiere: Veo 2’s Limited Debut

Previously, Veo 2 was confined to the gilded cages of Vertex AI users. Now, the slightly-less-exclusive club of Gemini Advanced subscribers gets to poke around. Free users? Business accounts? Education accounts? You’re watching from the sidelines for now. Think of it as the velvet rope policy of AI video generation. Sign up for a free trial of Google One AI Premium if you want to have a play – then its $20 a month.

Google’s also letting people use Veo 2 in Whisk, their new animation program.

The AI Video Arms Race: Another Competitor Enters the Arena

Veo 2’s public (well, semi-public) release positions it against OpenAI’s Sora and Adobe’s Firefly. The AI creative landscape is rapidly becoming a crowded battlefield, with every major tech player flexing its generative muscles. Google’s entry signals a further escalation in this high-stakes game of AI one-upmanship.

Privacy and Peril: Proceed with Caution

Before you start dreaming of AI-generated blockbusters, remember the fine print. Google’s privacy policy allows them to hoover up data from your chats and files. So, maybe don’t share your secret chili recipe with Gemini just yet. And, as always, abide by Google’s prohibited use policy – no creating content that’s abusive, illegal, or likely to trigger a robot uprising.

Veo 2: First Impressions – More ‘Meh’ Than Marvel

So, what’s it like to actually use Veo 2? Here’s the lowdown:

• Limited Scope: Clips are capped at a mere eight seconds and a decidedly un-cinematic 720p resolution. No sound either. Silent movies are back, baby, but this time they’re pixelated.
• Aspect Ratio Woes: Veo 2 stubbornly insists on a horizontal 16:9 format. Forget about creating TikToks or Instagram Reels directly – vertical video is apparently beyond its comprehension. Google will likely update this.
• Missing Mod Cons: No image or style references allowed. You’re relying solely on the power of your prompts. Hope you’ve been practicing your AI whisperer skills.
• Invisible Ink: SynthID watermarks are automatically added to Veo 2 videos, subtly branding them as AI-generated. Like a digital Scarlet Letter for synthetic content.

Early Verdict: Interesting Toy, Not Yet a Tool

Early testing suggests Veo 2 delivers decent results, adhering to prompts with reasonable accuracy. However, it lags behind competitors like Sora and Firefly in terms of resolution and customization options. It’s an interesting playground, sure, but unlikely to revolutionize creative workflows just yet. Think of it as a promising beta rather than a polished product.

Google doubtlessly has plans to upgrade Veo, but for now, it’s more of a curiosity than a necessity.