Latest news with #Veo3
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Google's Veo 3: Advertising's new AI tipping point
Google's launch of Veo 3 is an opportunity to pivot boldly. Brave's Musa Kalenga on Veo 3's impact on Africa We can't think of Veo 3 as just another shiny AI tool. It's a fundamental shift in conceptualising, creating, and connecting with audiences. While global marketers rush to decode its potential, creative marketers in Africa have a unique opportunity to use this tool to leapfrog. A game changer, Google Veo 3 transforms a simple text prompt into an eight-second cinematic video with synchronised dialogue, ambient sounds, and contextually generated music. For the first time, we're not just automating execution but imagination. This is revolutionary in regions where time, budget, and infrastructure limit creative ambition. Imagine a township entrepreneur generating product ads with multinational production quality or a pan-African NGO building immersive campaigns without hiring film crews. A new era, a new African story For over a century, the global video production industry has been dominated by the United States, an era that began in earnest during World War I. More recently, Bollywood and Nollywood have emerged as regional powerhouses, each with distinctive styles, scale, and storytelling traditions. However, with Veo 3, the US's historical dominance can finally be challenged, enabling new industries and narratives to emerge. Young African creators no longer need to migrate, fundraise, or outsource to tell stories that will impact the world. From Cape Town to Kigali, they can now produce world-class visuals at speed and scale, using only a laptop and their imagination. This levels the playing field in a way no generation could have imagined. This will shake up the global advertising industry. Not only will it introduce new creative voices into the mainstream, but it will also bring much-needed cultural diversity into campaigns. For South African marketers, in particular, it's a breakthrough. It enables us to compete globally with local budgets by exporting our creative style, social intelligence, and storytelling craft without the overheads. This could be the most meaningful economic opening for agencies and production houses across the continent since the digital revolution. AI Video making has changed the game With a prompt laptop and Gemini subscription, creativity is no longer beholden to cost. For too long, video has been a high-investment format, but no longer. Veo 3 hasn't just lowered the barriers to entry; it has obliterated them. Now, creatives and creators can create video on demand. But let's be clear: democratisation doesn't equal commoditisation. Just because anyone can create doesn't mean everyone will make something memorable, relevant and resonant. Veo 3 doesn't understand why stories matter. It can't grasp what makes a South African moment poignant or culturally sharp. It replicates emotion but not intent. At Brave Group, we see Veo 3 as an accelerant, not a threat. It supercharges our ability to prototype and iterate. This is why we developed Forge by Brave. This accessible AI-powered platform gives time back to marketing departments by making brand building quicker, easier and better, thanks to technology. Forge reshapes how campaigns are created, developed and delivered by using one place to effect brand strategy, creative concepts, social media posts, assets, and production. Creativity, say hello to execution at the speed of thought With the current advancements in video AI, we'll soon be able to ideate a TVC in the morning, generate mood films by lunch, and have campaign-ready edits by the end of the day. We applaud Veo 3, which excels at speed, fidelity, and consistency. Veo 3 maintains object continuity, synchronises soundscapes, and simulates physics – all in seconds. It is invaluable for pre-production and transformative for performance marketing, where agility matters. But here's the big challenge for brand owners – the more brands lean into automation, the more homogeneous their creative output will likely become. AI-generated content is only as fresh as the prompts it receives, and prompts are as powerful as the humans who write them. Being human is a strategic advantage Ad agencies will remain highly relevant in the AI age because integrated thinking is a strategic advantage. AI sits inside the creative ecosystem but shouldn't run it. Agencies that understand brands, branding, storytelling, and the creative process and who are strategically and media smart, will be a competitive advantage. Why? Storytelling must remain culturally grounded and emotionally intelligent if brands are to remain relevant and resonant. Veo 3 will displace parts of the production value chain. Entry-level editors, animators, and production studios will feel pressure. Price points will also come under pressure as clients ask: 'Why pay R500,000 for something Veo 3 generates in an afternoon?' This disruption isn't hypothetical; it is happening in mature markets now. But disruption means evolution, not destruction. The big challenge for agencies is to understand what parts of our craft are irreplaceable, and to bring this to the fore. Vision, originality, integrated strategy and cultural resonance are human qualities. Cultivate these and you'll remain indispensable. AI is a boon for the continent Moving outside of our sector, Veo 3 will significantly benefit African creativity. Africa is a continent of technophiles used to making a lot from a little because of infrastructural limitations; we've always been scrappy, lateral, and daring. Veo 3's limitation is cultural nuance. Yes, the videos are hyper-real and photorealistic. But are they authentically local? Can this AI differentiate between a township spaza shop and a suburban deli? Between Joburg's swagger and Durban's cool? Not yet. That's where cultural custodianship becomes critical. Brands that use Veo 3 without cultural intelligence will quickly be exposed. Audiences are unforgiving when authenticity is missing. Use Veo 3 to amplify stories, not erase them. Train your models. Build prompt libraries. Push tech providers to localise datasets. Representation isn't just about who's on-screen but who's shaping the machine. The future of ad agencies The good news is that Veo 3 isn't the end of advertising agencies. It begins a new storytelling era where imagination and execution converge. Why? Because tools don't make magic. People do. Our industry will face the temptation to automate the soul out of creativity. To flood markets with slick, empty videos that say everything and mean nothing. At Brave Group, we choose differently. We believe AI enables ideas to fly higher and faster, but it never replaces the human heart, mind and soul of advertising. Let's build advertising's next chapter with courage, creativity, and conscience.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Google trains Veo 3 AI video generation model using YouTube content: Report
Google has reportedly been using YouTube content to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models, including Gemini and the Veo 3 video and audio generator. According to a report by CNBC, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed that Google relies on its bank of YouTube videos to train its AI models. However, the spokesperson added that Google does not use each and every single video on YouTube but only uses a subset of its videos for training purposes. The report further claims that many creators whose videos might have been used in this matter remain unaware that their content has been used without their consent or any compensation. Creators were never notified? As per YouTube, this information has been conveyed to creators previously, but, as per experts who talked to CNBC, it is not widely understood by creators and media organisations that the US technology giant trains its AI models using its video library (YouTube). Earlier last year, in September, YouTube in a blog stated that the content uploaded on the platform could be used to 'improve the product experience … including through machine learning and AI applications.' A huge disadvantage here is that creators who have uploaded videos on YouTube have no way of opting out from letting Google use it to train AI models, which is something that its competitors, like Meta offers. Surprisingly, YouTube allows created to opt out from sharing their content with third-party companies to train their AI models. As per YouTube, there are around 20 billion videos on the platform, and out of them, how many are being used to train Google AI models is unclear at the moment. CNBC cited experts as saying that even if Google uses one per cent of those videos, then it would amount to around 2.3 billion minutes of content, which is 40 times more of the training data that is being used by competing AI models for training. The report claimed that CNBC talked to a number of leading creators and IP professionals, and it found out that none of them were apparently aware or had been informed by YouTube about the possibility of their content being used to train Google's AI models. Why does it matter YouTube, using user-uploaded videos to train AI, has raised concerns, especially after Google unveiled its powerful Veo 3 video generator. The tool can create fully AI-generated cinematic scenes, including visuals and audio. With around 20 million videos uploaded to YouTube daily by creators and media companies, some fear their content is being used to build technology that might one day rival or replace them. CNBC cited experts as saying that even if Veo 3's results don't directly copy existing content, the AI-generated output can power commercial products that may rival the very creators whose work helped train it, without their permission, credit, or payment. This no-way-out trap begins as soon as a creator uploads a video on YouTube, as by doing so, the person agrees to YouTube having a broad license to the content. What does the past record show According to The New York Times, Google has reportedly transcribed YouTube videos to train its AI models. Mashable India points out that this practice raises legal concerns, as it may infringe on creators' copyrights. The use of online content for AI training has already led to lawsuits related to licensing and intellectual property. Other players like Meta and OpenAI have also faced heat for using intellectual property to train their AI models without having the consent from creators or authors.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Can you trust what you see? How AI videos are taking over your social media
A few days ago, a video that claimed to show a lion approaching a man asleep on the streets of Gujarat, sniffing him and walking away, took social media by storm. It looked like it was CCTV footage. The clip was dramatic, surreal, but completely fake. It was made using Artificial Intelligence (AI), but that didn't stop it from going viral. The video was even picked up by some news outlets, and reported as if it was a real incident, without any verification. The video originated from a YouTube channel – The world of beasts, which inconspicuously mentioned 'AI-assisted designs' in its bio. In another viral clip, a kangaroo – allegedly an emotional support animal – was seen attempting to board a flight with its human. Again, viewers were fascinated, many believing the clip to be real. The video first appeared on the Instagram account 'Infinite Unreality,' which openly brands itself as 'Your daily dose of unreality.' The line between fiction and reality, now more than ever, isn't always obvious to idle users. From giant anacondas swimming freely through rivers to a cheetah saving a woman from danger, AI-generated videos are flooding platforms, often blurring the boundary between the unbelievable and the impossible. With AI tools becoming more advanced and accessible, these creations are only growing in number and becoming sophisticated. To understand just how widespread the problem of AI-generated videos is, and why it matters, The Indian Express spoke to experts working at the intersection of technology, media, and misinformation. 'Not just the last year, not just the last month, even in the last couple of weeks, I've seen the volume of such videos increase,' said Ben Colman, CEO of deepfake detection firm Reality Defender. He gave a recent example – a 30-second commercial by betting platform Kalshi that aired a couple of weeks ago, during Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The video was made using Google's new AI video tool, Veo 3. 'It's blown past the uncanny valley, meaning it's infinitely more believable, and more videos like this are being posted to social platforms today compared to the day prior and so on,' Colman said. Sam Gregory, executive director of WITNESS, a non-profit that trains activists in using tech for human rights, said, 'The quantity and quality of synthetic audio have rapidly increased over the past year, and now video is catching up. New tools like Veo generate photorealistic content that follows physical laws, matches visual styles like interviews or news broadcasts, and syncs with controllable audio prompts.'. The reason behind platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pushing AI-generated videos, beyond technical novelty, is not very complex – such videos grab user attention, something all platforms are desperate for. Colman said, 'These videos make the user do a double‑take. Negative reactions on social media beget more engagement and longer time on site, which translates to more ads consumed.' 'Improvements in fidelity, motion, and audio have made it easier to create realistic memetic content. People are participating in meme culture using AI like never before,' said Gregory. According to Ami Kumar, founder of Social & Media Matters, 'The amplification is extremely high, unfortunately, platform algorithms prioritise quantity over quality, promoting videos that generate engagement regardless of their accuracy or authenticity.' Gregory, however, said that demand plays a role. 'Once you start watching AI content, your algorithm feeds you more. 'AI slop' is heavily monetised,' he said. 'Our own PhDs have failed to distinguish real photos or videos from deepfakes in internal tests,' Colman admitted. Are the big platforms prepared to put labels and checks on AI-generated content? Not yet. Colman said most services rely on 'less‑than‑bare‑minimum provenance watermark checks,' which many generators ignore or can spoof. Gregory warned that 'research increasingly shows the average person cannot distinguish between synthetic and real audio, and now, the same is becoming true for video.' When it comes to detection, Gregory pointed to an emerging open standard, C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity), that could track the origins of images, audio and video, but it is 'not yet adopted across all platforms.' Meta, he noted, has already shifted from policing the use of AI to policing only content deemed 'deceptive and harmful.' Talking about AI-generated video detection, Kumar said, 'The gap is widening. Low-quality fakes are still detectable, but the high-end ones are nearly impossible to catch without advanced AI systems like the one we're building at Contrails.' However, he is cautiously optimistic that the regulatory tide, especially in Europe and the US, will force platforms to label AI output. 'I see the scenario improving in the next couple of years, but sadly loads of damage will be done by then,' he said. A good question to ask is, 'Who is making all these clips?' And the answer is, 'Everyone'. 'My kids know how to create AI-generated videos and the same tools are used by hobbyists, agencies, and state actors,' Colman said. Gregory agreed. 'We are all creators now,' he said. 'AI influencers, too, are a thing. Every new model spawns fresh personalities,' he said, adding that there is a growing trend of commercial actors producing AI-slop – cheap, fantastical content designed to monetise attention. Also Read | Canva rolls out new AI video clip feature powered by Google's Veo 3 model Kumar estimated that while 90 per cent of such content is made for fun, the remaining 10 per cent is causing real-world harm through financial, medical, or political misinformation. A case in point is the falsified footage of United Kingdom-based activist Tommy Robinson's viral migrant‑landing video. According to Colman, AI is a creative aid – not a replacement – and insisted that intentional deception should be clearly separated from artistic expression. 'It becomes manipulation when people's emotions or beliefs are deliberately exploited,' he said. Gregory pointed out one of the challenges – satire and parody can easily be misinterpreted when stripped of context. Kumar had a pragmatic stance: 'Intent and impact matter most. If either is negative, malicious, or criminal, it's manipulation.' The stakes leap when synthetic videos enter conflict zones and elections. Gregory recounted how AI clips have misrepresented confrontations between protesters and US troops in Los Angeles. 'One fake National Guard video racked up hundreds of thousands of views,' he said. Kumar said deepfakes have become routine in wars from Ukraine to Gaza and in election cycles from India to the US. Colman called for forward-looking laws: 'We need proactive legislation mandating detection or prevention of AI content at the point of upload. Otherwise, we're only penalising yesterday's problems while today's spiral out of control.' Gregory advocated for tools that reveal a clip's full 'recipe' across platforms, while warning of a 'detection-equity problem'. Current tools often fail to catch AI content in non-English languages or compressed formats. Kumar demanded 'strict laws and heavy penalties for platforms and individuals distributing AI-generated misinformation.' 'If we lose confidence in the evidence of our eyes and ears, we will distrust everything,' Gregory warned. 'Real, critical content will become just another drop in a flood of AI slop. And this scepticism can be weaponised to discredit real journalism, real documentation, and real harm.' Synthetic content is, clearly, here to stay. Whether it becomes a tool for creativity or a weapon of mass deception will depend on the speed at which platforms, lawmakers and technologists can build, and adopt, defences that keep the signal from being drowned by the deepfake noise.
Geeky Gadgets
3 hours ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Google Veo 3 : The Secret Weapon for High-Quality Video Advert Marketing
What if creating professional, eye-catching video ads was as simple as typing out a few ideas? Enter Google Veo 3, a innovative AI tool that's transforming how businesses approach video advertising. Imagine crafting a sleek, eight-second ad that feels like it was made by a top-tier production team—without the hefty price tag or weeks of back-and-forth edits. With its ability to seamlessly integrate audio, text overlays, and polished transitions, Veo 3 is more than just a tool; it's a fantastic option for marketers looking to stand out in a crowded digital landscape. The promise? High-quality, user-generated content (UGC)-style ads that connect with audiences on an authentic level. In this breakdown, Corbin Brown explores how Google Veo 3 is reshaping the video ad creation process, offering businesses a way to produce engaging, professional-grade content with minimal effort. You'll discover the tool's standout features, from script-based customization to its ability to showcase products with stunning visual clarity. But it's not all smooth sailing—Veo 3 has its quirks, and knowing its limitations is just as important as understanding its strengths. Whether you're a small business owner or a seasoned marketer, this guide will help you decide if Veo 3 is the right fit for your advertising needs. After all, the future of video marketing might just be a few clicks away. Google Veo 3 Overview Understanding Google Veo 3 Google Veo 3 is an advanced AI-driven platform designed to streamline the process of video ad creation. It enables businesses to produce short, visually appealing video clips—up to eight seconds in length—tailored to their branding and messaging needs. Its standout features include: Audio Integration: Add background music or voiceovers to enhance the emotional impact of your message. Add background music or voiceovers to enhance the emotional impact of your message. Text Overlays: Highlight key points with customizable text elements that align with your brand identity. Highlight key points with customizable text elements that align with your brand identity. Realistic Transitions: Ensure smooth and professional scene changes for a polished final product. For example, if you're promoting a new product like a smartphone, Veo 3 can generate a dynamic video showcasing its features, complete with branded text and audio. The tool's ability to follow detailed prompts ensures that the final output aligns closely with your creative vision. Performance and Practical Use Google Veo 3 has been tested across various projects, including advertisements for software solutions and physical products. For instance, when tasked with creating an ad for a software company called 'Bumpups,' Veo 3 produced a visually engaging clip featuring a user interacting with the software. The video included a voiceover and branded text, effectively highlighting the product's key features. However, during testing, some challenges were observed. Occasional issues such as audio synchronization errors and minor visual inaccuracies required manual adjustments. Despite these limitations, the tool demonstrated its ability to produce high-quality, professional-looking content with minimal effort. Create AI Video Ads with Google Veo 3 Watch this video on YouTube. Master AI video generation with the help of our in-depth articles and helpful guides. Core Features of Google Veo 3 Google Veo 3 offers a robust set of features that make it a valuable asset for businesses aiming to create impactful video advertisements. These include: AI Video Generation: Advanced algorithms generate high-quality, tailored video content that aligns with your branding. Advanced algorithms generate high-quality, tailored video content that aligns with your branding. Audio Integration: Seamlessly incorporate background music or voiceovers to enhance the emotional appeal of your ads. Seamlessly incorporate background music or voiceovers to enhance the emotional appeal of your ads. Text Overlays: Add customizable text to emphasize key messages or branding elements. Add customizable text to emphasize key messages or branding elements. Realistic Transitions: Smooth transitions between scenes create a professional and cohesive viewing experience. Smooth transitions between scenes create a professional and cohesive viewing experience. Script-Based Customization: Provide detailed scripts to guide the content creation process and ensure alignment with your vision. Provide detailed scripts to guide the content creation process and ensure alignment with your vision. Product Visualization: Showcase physical products effectively with realistic and visually appealing depictions. These features empower businesses to create professional-grade video ads without the need for extensive resources, technical expertise, or large production budgets. Limitations to Be Aware Of While Google Veo 3 offers numerous advantages, it is not without its limitations. Key considerations include: Video Length: The eight-second cap on video length may not be sufficient for more complex narratives. However, combining multiple clips can help create longer videos. The eight-second cap on video length may not be sufficient for more complex narratives. However, combining multiple clips can help create longer videos. Output Accuracy: Occasional issues with audio synchronization or visual details may require manual intervention to achieve the desired quality. These limitations indicate that while Veo 3 is a powerful tool, it may not fully replace traditional video production methods for all use cases, particularly those requiring longer or more intricate storytelling. Applications in Modern Marketing Google Veo 3 is particularly well-suited for businesses seeking efficient and cost-effective video production solutions. Its ability to quickly generate high-quality content makes it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized enterprises with limited budgets. Potential applications include: UGC-Style Video Ads: Create relatable and authentic ads that resonate with your target audience. Create relatable and authentic ads that resonate with your target audience. Product Marketing: Highlight product features and benefits in visually engaging ways to drive customer interest. Highlight product features and benefits in visually engaging ways to drive customer interest. Branding Integration: Seamlessly incorporate your brand identity into video content to enhance recognition and consistency. By using Veo 3, businesses can enhance their marketing efforts, improve audience engagement, and reduce production costs, all while maintaining a professional standard of quality. The Future of AI in Video Advertising As AI technology continues to evolve, tools like Google Veo 3 are set to play an increasingly significant role in the marketing and content creation landscape. The ability to produce video ads that rival human-created content opens up new possibilities for personalization and audience engagement. In the future, advancements in AI may enable these tools to support longer, more complex video narratives, further expanding their applications and utility. Google Veo 3 represents a significant step forward in AI-powered video generation, offering businesses a practical and efficient solution for creating high-quality video advertisements. While it has its limitations, its potential to streamline production processes and reduce costs makes it a valuable tool for modern marketers. As AI technology progresses, tools like Veo 3 are poised to shape the future of advertising, allowing businesses to connect with their audiences in more dynamic and impactful ways. Media Credit: Corbin Brown Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
YouTube Shorts has hit 200 billion daily views: CEO Neal Mohan
Live Events YouTube has crossed a major milestone with its short video feature, YouTube Shorts , now getting around 200 billion views every day, according to CEO Neal Mohan . He shared the update during his keynote address at the 2025 Cannes Lions marks a huge jump from last year, when YouTube reported (March 2024) that Shorts was averaging about 70 billion daily views. Viewership has gone up by nearly 186% in just a also revealed that people are now watching more than 1 billion hours of YouTube on their TVs every day. In May, YouTube topped Nielsen's The Gauge report for the fourth month in a row, making it the most-watched streaming platform in the platform made up 12.5% of all TV viewership, the largest share ever recorded by The Gauge across any streaming service or channel.'For more than half of the top 100 most-watched YouTube channels in the world, TV is their most-watched screen,' Mohan Shorts continues to grow in popularity, YouTube is adding more tools to help creators. Mohan announced that Veo 3, the latest version of Google DeepMind's video generation model, will be launching on the platform later this AI tool helps users create video clips and backgrounds for Shorts. The earlier Dream Screen feature used an older version of Veo, but Veo 3 will bring sharper visuals and the ability to add audio, giving creators more ways to bring their ideas to life.
