EP 602: Google Vids - The new AI updates to the platform you can’t afford to avoid
🎯 Summary
Podcast Episode Summary: EP 602: Google Vids - The new AI updates to the platform you can’t afford to avoid
This 46-minute episode of the Everyday AI Show focuses on the recent, powerful AI updates to Google Vids, Google Workspace’s relatively new video creation platform. The host, Jordan Wilson, argues that Vids is poised to democratize video creation for non-technical users in the same way Canva simplified graphic design, making it an essential tool that professionals cannot afford to ignore.
1. Focus Area
The primary focus is on Generative AI applications within a productivity suite, specifically detailing the features, utility, and strategic importance of Google Vids. Key technologies discussed include Google’s Veo 3 video generation model and integration with Google Gemini for scripting and planning. The discussion centers on making video storytelling accessible for everyday business communication (internal and external).
2. Key Technical Insights
- Veo 3 Integration: Google Vids leverages Veo 3, described as an “insanely good” AI video generation platform, allowing users to start projects with highly realistic, AI-generated clips (currently limited to 8 seconds).
- Multi-Modal Prompting: Users can initiate video creation via a prompt interface (similar to Gemini) that intelligently pulls assets, scripts (from Google Docs), and visual context (from imported presentations like PowerPoint/Canva exports) to build an initial video outline automatically.
- Automatic Transcript Trimming: A key feature for efficiency is the ability to automatically trim transcripts, removing awkward pauses, filler words (“ums,” “likes”), and repetitive phrases with a single click, significantly streamlining post-production for non-editors.
3. Business/Investment Angle
- Democratization of Video: Google Vids is positioned to disrupt the video editing space (challenging tools like Adobe Premiere, Opus Clip, and Descript) by making compelling video storytelling accessible to the average business user.
- Workforce Skill Requirement: For organizations using Google Workspace, proficiency in Vids is projected to become an essential, resume-worthy skill set, similar to proficiency in Word and Excel in previous decades.
- High ROI Potential: Citing statistics that 93% of marketers see good ROI from video, the platform enables companies to meet the rising demand for video content from younger consumers (Gen Z/Alpha) without relying on already-swamped internal creative teams.
4. Notable Companies/People
- Jordan Wilson (Host): The primary voice, emphasizing his background of thousands of hours in video production to lend credibility to his assessment of Vids’ ease of use.
- Google: The developer of Vids, Veo, and Gemini, positioned as aggressively disrupting various software sectors.
- Competitors Mentioned: Adobe (Premiere), Canva, HeyGen, Synthesia, Opus Clip, and Descript.
5. Future Implications
The conversation suggests the industry is moving toward ubiquitous, integrated video creation within existing productivity ecosystems. Google Vids, if continuously improved, could become the standard for internal communication, training modules, and quick marketing assets, fundamentally shifting how non-creatives communicate complex ideas. The host is optimistic about Google’s commitment, noting that AI features are guaranteed support until at least May 2026.
6. Target Audience
This episode is most valuable for Business Leaders, Productivity Professionals, and AI Strategists operating within organizations that utilize Google Workspace. It is specifically targeted at individuals who need to create video content but lack professional editing skills or resources.
🏢 Companies Mentioned
💬 Key Insights
"This is something that, you know, 10 years ago, probably would have cost you $10,000 to $20,000 if I spent maybe an hour on this. We probably could have something that would have cost multiple tens of thousands of dollars, and it probably would have taken weeks in multiple shoots to get something of this quality 10 or 20 years ago."
"So again, it created this 30-second video with a single prompt referencing the script that I already wrote. Also, I know that it pulled out some of the information from my document that I shared because I'm listening to and looking at the visuals, so I know it referenced that document as well."
"So let's just go ahead and change one thing. There was one scene I didn't really like... I'm going to go over to Veo, and we're going to do this live so you can choose right now, Veo 3 Preview is the only one available, and I can just use Veo 3 right here and then insert it in."
"So right away, I've already showed you it's very easy. You don't have to be a technical person. If you've ever used PowerPoint, maybe you know Word, a lot of things, you know, Word, Canva—it's as easy as clicking on something and changing it."
"I can click the "@" key and I can reference different files within my organization. So I'm clicking the "@" and I just used Google Gemini to type up a quick script, and then I saved it in Google Docs. So I said, 'Use the...' and then I'm having it reference one of my... slides that I made."
"Veo 3... is insanely good. I'm talking about almost dangerously good because even though there are only eight-second clips right now, it is very hard to tell the difference if you get the basics of Veo and if you start with images... It is extremely realistic."