YouTube adds AI remix option for Shorts using Gemini Omni

In short: Google is adding a new “reimagine” option in YouTube Shorts that lets people use AI to restyle and edit other creators’ short videos.

What happened

Google announced a new feature for YouTube Shorts called Shorts Remix that uses Gemini Omni, Google’s AI system. When you watch a Short, you can tap the remix icon and then choose an option called “reimagine.”

With “reimagine,” you can type in what you want and the AI will change the look of the video. For example, Google says it can turn a clip into pixel art, anime, or a found-footage horror style (like a shaky handheld movie).

Google also says the tool can change what is inside the video, not just the style. Examples mentioned include making people’s heads look bigger, adding background actors, changing outfits to pirate costumes, or even inserting yourself into the clip. Think of it like adding filters and stickers, but for whole scenes instead of single frames.

Creators can choose whether other people are allowed to “reimagine” their Shorts. Google gave an example of a parent posting a video of their kids who may want remixing turned off.

To help people understand where a remix came from, Google says AI-remixed Shorts will include a digital watermark (a hidden mark that helps identify AI-made content) and a link back to the original video.

Why it matters

For regular YouTube users, this makes it easier to create funny or stylized clips without editing skills. At the same time, it raises questions about consent and misuse, so the on and off setting, plus watermarking and links, will matter in how people trust what they see.

Source: The Verge AI