Google Photos Just Got Way More Powerful With AI Video Prompts –
Google is expanding the creative controls available in Google Photos by adding text prompts to its generative AI photo-to-video feature. The update, announced Monday, allows users to describe how they want a still image to move, what style it should adopt, or what kind of visual effect they want applied when transforming photos into short videos.
Until now, Google Photos’ image-to-video tool offered only two preset options: “Subtle Movement” and “I’m feeling lucky.” While both made it easy to animate photos with a single tap, neither allowed users to directly influence the outcome. The new text-prompt support changes that by putting creative direction back into users’ hands.
With this update, users can type prompts describing motion (such as a subject turning their head or wind moving through trees), stylistic choices (cinematic lighting, slow motion, or dreamy effects), or general mood. Google says the feature is designed to feel intuitive, even for users with no experience writing prompts, and will include built-in suggestions to help spark ideas and guide results.
More Control, Fewer Surprises
The “I’m feeling lucky” option has always leaned into unpredictability — sometimes producing impressive results, other times missing the mark. By contrast, text prompts allow users to fine-tune how their images come to life, reducing randomness and increasing the chances of getting a video that matches their vision.
Prompts can also be edited after generation, letting users iterate on the same photo without starting from scratch. This makes the feature feel less like a novelty and more like a lightweight creative tool, especially for people who want to share short animated clips on social media or preserve moments in a more dynamic way.
Google says it will continue to offer prompt suggestions for “instant video inspiration,” which may help users understand what kinds of effects the system handles best. This approach mirrors how Google and other AI companies are gradually lowering the barrier to entry for generative tools by blending automation with optional manual control.
Part of a Bigger AI Push
The update fits neatly into Google’s broader strategy of embedding generative AI across its consumer products. Over the past year, Google has added AI-powered editing tools to Photos, introduced generative wallpapers and themes on Android, and integrated AI assistance into Search, Gmail, and Docs.
By enhancing Google Photos — one of its most widely used apps — Google is signaling that generative AI isn’t just for power users or creative professionals. Instead, it’s becoming a default part of how everyday users interact with their memories.
At the same time, Google appears to be taking a cautious approach. Rather than offering unlimited freedom, the company is guiding users with suggested prompts and constrained outputs, which may help reduce unexpected or low-quality results while keeping the feature approachable.
What It Means for Users
For casual users, the update makes it easier to turn favorite photos into eye-catching videos without relying on luck. For more creative users, it opens the door to experimentation — testing different motions, moods, and styles from a single image.
While the feature won’t replace professional video editing tools, it doesn’t need to. Its strength lies in simplicity: type what you want to see, adjust the prompt if needed, and generate a short video in seconds.
As generative AI tools become more common, features like this suggest a future where static photos are no longer the final form of a memory. Instead, they’re starting points — ready to be animated, reimagined, and shared in new ways.
Google hasn’t said whether more advanced controls are coming next, but with text prompts now in place, Google Photos’ AI video tool has taken a meaningful step forward
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