Google expands AI video tools with Veo 3.1 and Flow
Google has announced a new generation of its AI video tools, delivering Veo 3.1 Standard and Veo 3.1 Fast through the Gemini API. Building on the earlier Veo 3 model released in May, the new versions promise more realistic video output, tighter prompt matching, and richer audio. The move positions Google’s Gemini framework as a central hub for creators who want to blend automated generation with hands-on storytelling.
At the core of Veo 3.1 are improvements in how the system interprets prompts and translates them into cinematic results. Google reports stronger adherence to user instructions, which translates into videos that more accurately reflect desired scenes, pacing, and mood. In addition to visuals, Veo 3.1 can generate “+richer native audio+”—ranging from natural dialogue to synchronized sound effects—helping creators produce more immersive clips without separate audio workstreams.
Key features of Veo 3.1
Veo 3.1 expands the feature set that earlier Veo 3 users appreciated, while embedding audio into each capability. The three standout features are:
- Extend: Continue generating a clip from an existing video, enabling longer narratives without starting from scratch. The extension respects established lighting, camera movement, and scene tone, while weaving in new elements that feel authentic to the original take.
- Frames to Video: Create a video by defining the first and last frames. This gives editors a frame-based blueprint for storytelling, allowing high-level planning of shots before generation begins.
- Ingredients to Video: Control the look and feel using up to three reference images. This enables a cohesive visual style across a sequence, guiding color, textures, and overall mood.
With Veo 3.1, Google says these capabilities now include audio across all three modes. That means more dynamic scenes where dialogue, ambience, and effects play in harmony with visuals, saving time in post-production.
Pricing, availability, and ecosystem
Pricing remains consistent with the prior model: Veo 3.1 Standard at $0.40 per second and Veo 3.1 Fast at $0.15 per second. Both versions are accessible through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI via the Gemini API, making it possible for developers and studios to integrate the tool into custom workflows. In addition to API access, Veo 3.1 is available in the Gemini app and the Flow platform, Google’s AI filmmaking tool, for an end-to-end creative pipeline.
The Flow platform continues to serve as an editable playground where creators can tweak generated footage and push it toward publication-ready results. If the initial take doesn’t fully meet a creator’s vision, Flow provides practical editing options designed to streamline the revision process.
Editing in Flow: practical capabilities for creators
Flow is designed to be intuitive for filmmakers who want to refine AI-generated material without starting from scratch. The updates emphasize practical, real-world editing tasks that save time and expand creative control:
- Insert tool: Add new elements into any scene, from realistic props to imaginative visual ideas. Flow automatically adjusts lighting and shadows to ensure additions blend naturally with the existing footage.
- Remove tool (upcoming): Objects or characters can be erased, with Flow rebuilding the background to maintain continuity and realism.
With these tools, creators can quickly iterate several versions of a scene, compare storytelling approaches, and converge on a final cut that aligns with the intended cinematic style. The emphasis on natural lighting and shadow consistency helps reduce the typical headaches of post-production when using AI-generated footage.
What this means for filmmakers and brands
The Veo 3.1 update represents a notable step forward in balancing automation with artistic control. For independent creators, the improvements in prompt adherence and audio fidelity can shorten production cycles and lower the barrier to high-quality video content. For brands, the ability to produce cinematic content at scale—while maintaining a consistent voice and mood across videos—could become a powerful asset for marketing campaigns and social storytelling.
As Google continues to evolve the Gemini ecosystem, tools like Veo 3.1 and Flow may become core components of modern video production stacks. They offer a practical path toward faster ideation, tighter storytelling, and more engaging audience experiences, all while keeping a focus on realism and usability.
