Google has unveiled significant upgrades to its AI video generation tool Veo 3.1, enhancing realism, editing capabilities, and audio integration in its Flow filmmaking platform and Gemini app. The update marks a major leap forward in making AI-generated videos more lifelike and easier to produce with minimal user input. Veo 3.1 builds on the May 2024 release of Veo 3, introducing more precise control over lighting, shadows, and audio, allowing creators to generate richer, more immersive content. One of the standout features of Veo 3.1 is the ability to add or modify shadows and lighting within AI-generated videos. This refinement helps scenes appear more natural and consistent with real-world physics, making it harder to detect that the video was created by artificial intelligence. The update also enables users to generate videos with synchronized audio, a key advancement that brings AI clips closer to professional-grade productions. Google introduced several new features under the Veo 3.1 umbrella. “Ingredients to Video” allows users to create a full video from just three reference images, giving the AI a clear visual guide to build a cohesive scene. “Frames to Video” enables users to generate a smooth transition between a starting and ending frame, complete with AI-generated audio that matches the motion and mood of the clip. The “Scene Extension” feature lets users extend the final second of an existing video by up to a minute, automatically generating new content that maintains visual and audio continuity. Another powerful addition is the ability to remove objects from a video. Soon, Flow users will be able to select any item in a clip, and the AI will restructure the background and surrounding elements to seamlessly fill in the space as if the object was never there. This feature adds a new level of flexibility for editing and post-production. Veo 3.1 is available as part of a paid preview through the Gemini API for developers and is now enabled in the Gemini app and Flow. The tool retains the same pricing as its predecessor, Veo 3, making advanced AI video creation accessible to a broad range of users. Since Flow’s launch in May, over 275 million videos have been created on the platform, highlighting strong user adoption and demand for AI-powered creative tools. Google emphasized that Veo 3.1 generates more realistic clips and adheres more closely to user prompts, improving both accuracy and creative control. The update also strengthens Veo’s ability to integrate new objects into scenes, ensuring they blend naturally with the existing visual style. This capability is especially useful for creative professionals and content creators looking to produce dynamic, high-quality videos without complex editing software. With audio now integrated across all major editing features, Veo 3.1 significantly enhances the storytelling potential of AI-generated videos. Whether it’s adding ambient sound, dialogue, or music, the tool now supports richer, more engaging output. Google’s rollout of Veo 3.1 reflects its broader push to make AI filmmaking accessible and powerful. By combining advanced visual fidelity with intuitive editing and full audio support, the company is helping users bring imaginative ideas to life faster than ever. As AI continues to evolve, tools like Veo 3.1 are setting new standards for what’s possible in digital content creation—blurring the line between human and machine-made media.