Google Expands AI Video Editor Vids to All Users with New Avatars and Editing Tools

Google is expanding access to its AI-powered video editor, Vids, making a basic version available to all users. Previously limited to subscribers of Google Workspace or the AI Plan, the tool is now broadly accessible with core features like customizable templates, stock media, and a range of AI-driven editing tools. Launched last year, Vids is part of Google’s growing suite of Workspace productivity tools designed to help users quickly create professional-quality video presentations. One of its standout features is the ability to generate storyboards using AI suggestions for scenes, stock visuals, and background music, streamlining the video creation process. While the free version includes most of the app’s foundational capabilities, it does not yet include the latest AI enhancements. These new features, which are rolling out today, include the ability to generate short videos using AI avatars. Users can now choose from 12 pre-designed avatars, each with distinct appearances and voices, and input a script to generate a video message. However, the option to create a personalized AI avatar of oneself—something Zoom currently offers and has become popular among tech executives—is not available at this time. When asked about future plans, product director Vishnu Sivaji said Google has “no further updates to share” on that front. In addition, Google is enhancing Vids’ video generation tools by allowing users to create 8-second videos based on a specific image—ideal for showcasing new products or visual concepts. For those who want to include a personal recording, a new AI-powered feature automatically removes filler words, pauses, and verbal hesitations, resulting in cleaner, more polished footage. Google sees these upgrades as a way to help businesses reduce the time and cost associated with video production. “A 10-minute video with real actors can take up to six months and cost tens of thousands of dollars,” Sivaji explained. “That includes scriptwriting, studio time, recording, and editing. What we’re hearing from customers is that Vids allows them to scale how many people can create these videos and how frequently they can do it.” The updates aim to empower teams across departments—from marketing and training to customer support—to produce engaging content quickly and efficiently, without needing extensive video production expertise.