YouTube is set to integrate Google’s latest AI video generation tool, Veo 3, into YouTube Shorts later this summer. The announcement came during a keynote speech by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan at the Cannes Lions Festival, where he shared the stage with popular creators Amelia Dimoldenberg, Alex Cooper, and Brandon Baum.
Neal Mohan, YouTube CEO, said, “The possibilities with AI are limitless. A lot can change in a generation. Entertainment itself has changed more in the last two decades than any other time in history. Creators led this revolution.”
“My bet for the next 20 years? Creators will flip formats, blend genres, and push deeper into the mainstream — as brand ambassadors, big business ventures and visionary storytellers,” he added. “Communities will continue to surprise us with the power of their collective fandom. And cutting-edge AI technology will push the limits of human creativity. My biggest bet is that YouTube will continue to be the stage where it all happens. Where anyone with a story to share can turn their dream into a career… and anyone with a voice can bring people together and change the world.”
Veo 3 is Google’s most powerful AI video generation model, capable of creating high-quality videos from text prompts. While YouTube already uses an earlier version of Veo in its Dream Screen tool to generate video backgrounds, Veo 3 brings a significant upgrade. The tool was first introduced in 2023 and has since been improved with more realistic visuals and creative control.
By integrating Veo 3 into YouTube Shorts, creators will soon be able to generate entire video scenes using AI. This could open new creative pathways, especially for smaller creators who may not have access to professional video production resources.
As AI-generated content becomes more mainstream, YouTube is taking steps to ensure responsible use. The company has partnered with major talent agency CAA and several top creators to develop tools that give celebrities and public figures more control over how their likeness is used in AI-generated videos.
Already, videos made with Veo 3 have gone viral across social media platforms. Some include creative ideas like imagining historical or fictional characters as modern-day vloggers. However, Mohan emphasized that the real goal is to give creators new ways to express themselves.
“We’re opening new creative lanes,” he noted.
Launched in 2021, YouTube Shorts has quickly become a major focus for the platform, especially as it competes with TikTok and Instagram Reels in the short-form video space. During his keynote, Mohan revealed a significant milestone:
Neal Mohan, YouTube CEO, said, “Shorts now sees over 200 billion views per day.
This figure highlights YouTube’s global scale and influence in the world of digital entertainment.
Throughout his speech, Mohan returned to a central theme: creators are transforming the entertainment industry.
Neal Mohan, YouTube CEO, said, “Like most startups, these creators are reimagining the industry that inspired them and creating new jobs for writers, editors, actors and producers. Some are even building state-of-the-art studios.”
Indeed, several YouTube creators have started their own production companies, secured funding, and collaborated with seasoned entertainment professionals to create high-quality, studio-level content.
The integration of Veo 3 into YouTube Shorts marks a milestone for AI in content creation. Furthermore, it signals YouTube’s commitment to empowering creators with cutting-edge tools that lower production barriers while maintaining creativity and quality.
As AI continues to evolve, platforms like YouTube are expected to play a central role in shaping how the next generation of entertainment is made and consumed.