Katarzyna Petru
Google has just made a move that was inevitable. The update to model Veo 3.1 introduces native support for vertical video 9:16, a format designed for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. No tricks, no cropping, no loss of quality. AI is finally generating video exactly in the format in which it is consumed today. This is a clear signal that Google is no longer treating short-form videos as an addition. Now, they are the starting point.
End of cropping images
Until now, creating AI videos for shorts was a half-measure. Models generated horizontal images, which then had to be cropped or artificially scaled. The result? Loss of detail, poorly cropped characters, and chaos in the composition. Veo 3.1 now allows you to directly select the 9:16 format. Videos are designed vertically from the very first frame, with the smartphone screen in mind. Google is integrating this feature directly with YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app, which clearly shows where the company sees the future of video.
Reference images finally work as they should
The biggest change does not concern the format itself, but the quality of generation from reference images. Google has clearly improved the expression of characters, their movements, and facial expressions. Even shorter, less detailed prompts now yield a more natural effect.
The model maintains better consistency of characters, objects, and backgrounds. The problem of "floating" faces, changing clothes, or mismatched details between shots has disappeared. Moreover, Veo 3.1 allows mixing different characters, textures, objects, and environments into one visually coherent clip. These are no longer random animations – this is starting to resemble real editing.
1080p and 4K. AI stops looking like AI
The new update also brings better image scaling to 1080p and 4K. This is crucial because until now, much AI-generated video looked good only in a small window. When enlarged, artefacts, blurriness, and lack of detail became apparent. Now, Veo 3.1 is expected to generate content suitable not only for shorts but also for professional video projects. This is a significant change for creators, marketers, and production studios that want to use AI as a genuine tool rather than a novelty.
Availability. Google bets on the ecosystem
New features can be accessed directly in the Gemini app. Professional users will receive them in Google Flow, via the Gemini API, Vertex AI, and Google Vids in the Google Cloud. This is Google's classic strategy – one model, many entry points. From an amateur making shorts on their phone to a company producing video at scale.
AI video enters the user phase
This update shows one thing: AI-generated video is no longer an experiment. Google is adapting Veo 3.1 not to filmmakers' visions, but to real viewer habits. Vertical video, quick consumption, social media, image consistency, and quality that is sufficient not to be jarring.
AI will not yet replace creators. But it has just started speaking their language.
