Google Introduces 'Vids', A Generative AI-Powered Tool To Create And Edit Videos

Google has been developing AI products for a long time, and thanks to generative AI, the pace is getting faster.

This time, Google introduces what it calls 'Vids', a real-time video collaboration feature, which taps into the company's deep roots in AI research and development and video expertise. Powered by Gemini, the AI-based feature is meant to strengthen productivity and collaboration.

Meant for Workspace, Vids here is meant to allow users to create functional videos that organizations may find useful.

According to Aparna Pappu, Google's VP of Engineering, and General Manager for Google Workspace:

The idea is that, people tell stories a lot. At work, for example, companies are also exploring methods to onboard new employees, train team, and make sales, through a process that involves storytelling. And often, this storytelling involves videos, which have become an ubiquitous medium for its immediacy and ability to "cut through the noise."

But at times, it can be daunting to know where to start.

Because not everyone is a good storyteller, Google wants to help with Google Vids.

"Vids is your video, writing, production, and editing assistant, all in one. It can generate a storyboard that you can easily edit, and after choosing a style, it pieces together your first draft with suggested scenes from stock videos, images, and background music. It can also help you land your message with the right voiceover — either choosing from one of our preset voiceovers, or using your own," said Google in a blog post.

"Vids will sit alongside our other productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Like them, it includes a simple, easy-to-use interface and the ability to collaborate and share projects securely from your browser. It's an entirely new app that can help anyone become a great storyteller at work."

Google explained that the app has the ability piece together users' first draft with suggested scenes from stock videos, images and background music.

In a promotional video shared, Google showcased how the app works.

Google showed the app to summarize moments from its Cloud Next conference in Las Vegas.

By simply prompting it to create a recap video and providing event details, Vids generated a customizable narrative outline.

Users have the option to select select from various templates like research proposal, new employee intro, or team milestone. After a brief processing period, Vids delivers a preliminary video draft, including a storyboard, stock media, music, transitions, and animation. It also generates a script and voiceover, though users can opt to record their own.

Users have the option to manually select photos from Google Drive or Google Photos for seamless integration into the video.

Google Vids, according to Aparna Pappu, is an all-in-one video editing, writing production assistant.

"It sits alongside all your other productivity tools like Docs, Sheets and Slides," she said. "And like them, it includes a simple, easy-to-use interface and the ability to collaborate and share projects. All you need is a browser."

Vids is part of Google's generative AI-based features for Workspace.

Like other Google Workspace tools, users can collaborate with colleagues in real time in the browser.

"No need to email files back and forth. You and your team can work on the story at the same time with all the same access controls and security that we provide for all of Workspace," Pappu said.

With the new generative AI additions to Workspace, Google is reaching parity with Microsoft 365, among just a few others.

"Next we're continuing this momentum with a launch of a number of new AI innovations that will make communication and collaboration far easier and more inclusive," Pappu said during a virtual press conference on April 4.