Announced onstage at Cannes Lions, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan confirmed that Veo 3, Google’s latest and most advanced AI video generation model, will soon integrate directly into YouTube Shorts.
For creators, this means higher-quality AI videos with better visuals, sound, and editing capabilities, right inside the app.
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This isn’t YouTube’s first foray into AI-assisted creativity. Its earlier Veo 2 model already powers Dream Screen, the background generator for Shorts. But Veo 3 turns things up a notch: higher fidelity, more cinematic shots, smoother motion and audio.
This isn’t just a cool new tool, it’s a strategic bet on AI-native creativity.
Shorts are already averaging 200 billion views per day. And Google is clearly betting that giving creators powerful generative tools directly in the flow of content creation will boost that number even further.
We don’t yet know if Veo 3 access inside Shorts will be free or tied to Google’s paid AI Pro/Ultra plans. But the trajectory is clear: creation is becoming prompt-driven, and YouTube doesn’t want to be left behind.
Let’s be real: TikTok gave us trends, IG Reels gave us reach, but YouTube is quietly positioning itself as the home of AI-enhanced video storytelling. With Veo 3, Shorts could evolve from quick clips to mini-movies. Imagine creators scripting cinematic sequences with a few words and a vibe. Imagine trends built on AI scenes instead of real-life footage. Imagine virality that doesn’t require a ring light.