YouTube announced on Thursday that its Dream Screen feature for Shorts now lets you create AI-generated video backgrounds. Up until now, Dream Screen could only create image backgrounds. The new capability is possible due to the integration of Google DeepMind’s AI video-generation model, Veo, which can create 1080p video clips in various cinematic styles.
Users can now use the feature to turn text prompts into AI video backgrounds. To access the feature, you need to go into the Shorts camera, tap the “green screen” icon, and then select “Dream Screen.” From there, you can type in a prompt, such as “candy landscape” or “magical forest with a stream.” Next, you can pick an animation style and then tap “Create.”
The Dream Screen tool will then generate a series of video backgrounds that you can choose from. Once you select an AI video background, you can record a video with it behind you.
YouTube says the new feature can be used for things like putting yourself in the setting of your favorite book or creating an animated opening for your Short.
In the future, YouTube plans to give creators the ability to generate six-second-long stand-alone video clips for Shorts through Dream Screen.
It’s worth noting that YouTube is giving Shorts creators access to a feature that’s not available on TikTok, the leading short-form video platform. While TikTok lets creators generate AI-powered background images, the company currently doesn’t let you create video backgrounds.
The new feature is now available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
