Google Vids video editor has received AI-powered avatars and a free version

Google is expanding the capabilities of its video editor Vids, which was introduced as part of the Google Workspace package last year. On August 27, the company announced the launch of new features, including AI avatars, automatic removal of filler words and pauses, and video generation from images. Additionally, for the first time, a free version of the editor has been made available to the general public with basic functionality.

AI avatars allow users to create videos based on a script: simply upload the text, select a voice and character image from Google's library, and the tool will automatically generate the video. This feature, first announced at the Google I/O conference and previously available in beta, is now publicly available for Workspace customers.

Another new capability is the automatic detection of filler words like "um" and "uh" or long pauses in speech. The system offers to remove them with a single click, after which the video editor adjusts the recording. Vids also now integrates with the Veo 3 model, which allows converting images into short video clips up to eight seconds long.

Google is also working on other features: noise cancellation, virtual backgrounds, and effects similar to those in Google Meet, as well as support for landscape, portrait, and square video orientations. Exact release dates for these updates have not yet been announced.

The new AI capabilities will be available to users of Workspace Business or Enterprise Starter plans, subscribers to Google AI Pro and Ultra, as well as educational institutions. For regular users, the company has launched a free version of Vids: it includes basic editing tools, access to a template library, a font collection, and stock materials. However, artificial intelligence features are not included in this version.

Thus, Google is focusing on expanding the audience for its video editor: business users receive innovative AI tools, while the general public gets the opportunity to try the basic functionality for free and get familiar with the Google Vids ecosystem.

Source: Tech Crunch