YouTube has announced that it will integrate Google’s Veo 3 video generation model into its short-form video platform, Shorts, starting this summer.
Highlights
- Veo 3 Coming to YouTube Shorts: Starting summer 2025, creators will be able to use Google’s Veo 3 video generation model directly within Shorts, enabling AI-powered visuals and audio generation.
- Full Multimedia Generation: Unlike existing Dream Screen tools, Veo 3 supports built-in audio — including ambient sound, sound effects, and dialogue — elevating the storytelling potential for short videos.
- Staged Rollout: YouTube will introduce Veo 3 in phases, with exact launch dates yet to be confirmed. The feature will be accessible via the Shorts creation interface.
- Massive Impact Potential: With Shorts receiving 200+ billion daily views, the integration of Veo 3 could dramatically scale creator reach and production capabilities.
- Built for Storytelling: Veo 3’s strength lies in realistic motion rendering and prompt alignment, making it ideal for narrative-driven content — distinguishing it from competitors like OpenAI’s Sora and Runway Gen-4.
- Monetization Model TBD: While Veo 3 typically requires a paid Google AI Pro or Ultra plan, YouTube hasn’t yet disclosed whether Shorts users will need a subscription to access it.
- Part of a Broader AI Push: YouTube’s AI efforts also include Auto Dubbing (20M+ videos translated) and generative tools across Creative Suite integrations, reinforcing Google’s vision of multimodal creation for all.
The update was shared by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025, signaling a significant step toward expanding AI-powered content creation tools for creators worldwide.
AI-Driven Video Creation
Currently, Shorts includes Dream Screen, a generative tool that allows users to create AI-generated visual backdrops.
The upcoming integration of Veo 3, developed by Google DeepMind, is expected to significantly enhance this functionality by offering native audio generation and more realistic motion rendering.
Introduced at Google I/O 2025, Veo 3 has been recognized for its ability to generate video content with nuanced physical interactions, ambient sound, and improved alignment with user prompts.
With its inclusion in Shorts, creators will gain access to a more advanced suite of tools for storytelling — including dialogue, sound effects, and atmospheric audio.
Rollout Timeline and Features
YouTube has confirmed that Veo 3 integration will begin in phases this summer, though exact availability dates are yet to be disclosed.
Once live, the feature will allow users to generate both video and audio directly within the Shorts creation interface, lowering the technical barriers for producing engaging and immersive content.
YouTube’s AI Strategy
YouTube has already seen success with its AI offerings. The Auto Dubbing tool, which automatically translates videos into other languages, has helped localize over 20 million videos across nine languages in just six months — demonstrating how AI can drive creator reach and engagement at scale.
This broader push into generative tools aligns with Google’s strategy to embed Veo 3 across various platforms.
For instance, Canva recently introduced a “Create a Video Clip” feature, powered by Veo 3, for its AI Suite subscribers. While limited to premium users, the rollout reflects growing interest in cinematic-quality video creation for a range of audiences.
YouTube Shorts currently averages over 200 billion daily views, highlighting the platform’s significance and the impact Veo 3’s integration could have on content creators seeking to scale their visibility.
Veo distinguishes itself from competitors such as OpenAI’s Sora and Runway’s models by offering built-in audio generation, including environmental sounds and spoken dialogue — enhancing narrative depth in generated content.
While Veo 3 requires a paid Google AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription for use outside of Shorts, YouTube has yet to clarify whether its integration within Shorts will be available to all users or tied to a subscription model.
