Google is once again redefining the boundaries of digital creativity. Its Gemini platform now lets users transform ordinary still images/photos into short, animated video clips, complete with sound. This fresh capability, revealed by David Sharon, who leads Multimodal Generation for Gemini Apps, is powered by the company’s latest video model, Veo 3.
How It Works?
Breathing life into a static photo might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but with Gemini, the process feels intuitive and fun. Inside the Gemini interface, users can head over to the prompt area and select the “Videos” option. Once a photo is uploaded, all that’s left to do is describe what the scene should look like in motion, and optionally, suggest accompanying audio.
That’s all it takes. A few inputs later, your snapshot evolves into an eight-second animated video. Whether you're reimagining a childhood drawing or adding motion to a scenic photo from a recent hike, the possibilities feel nearly limitless. Finished videos can be downloaded or shared instantly with friends and family.
The AI Engine Behind the Art
Under the hood, all of this is made possible by Veo 3, Google's advanced video-generation engine. Introduced in May, this model is already making waves. It recently became available to Google AI Pro users across more than 150 countries.
And users are clearly loving it. In just the past seven weeks, over 40 million videos have been created using Veo 3 (both within Gemini and Flow -- Google’s AI-powered storytelling tool). People are using it to do everything from reimagining classic fairy tales with a modern spin to building ASMR experiences around nature’s most mesmerizing sounds.
Where and How to Try It
The photo-to-video feature is currently rolling out to Gemini AI Pro and Ultra users in select countries. Curious users can check it out by visiting gemini.google.com. The same tools are also available in Flow, which is more tailored for creators working on longer or more cinematic projects.
Built With Safety in Mind
As with all of Google’s AI innovations, the launch of this feature comes with a focus on responsibility and safety. Behind the scenes, the tech giant is running continuous “red teaming” simulations, essentially stress tests designed to catch problems before they reach real users.
Each AI-generated video is clearly marked with a visible watermark to indicate it was created by artificial intelligence. Additionally, every file includes a SynthID digital signature -- Google’s invisible watermarking system designed for traceability.
And user feedback is more than welcome. With a quick thumbs-up or thumbs-down on each video, creators can share their impressions. This feedback loop helps Google continuously fine-tune the experience and maintain high standards of safety.
