Google is expanding the capabilities of Vids, its video editing tool for the Workspace suite, with a new wave of AI-powered features. First launched last year, the editor is now gaining tools such as AI avatars, automated transcript clean-up, and image-to-video generation. Alongside these updates, Google is also rolling out a free consumer version that includes only basic functions.
The free tier will allow users to make simple edits, use templates, fonts, and stock media, but AI enhancements will remain exclusive to paid Workspace accounts. Competing platforms like Synthesia and D-ID already offer avatar-based video creation for training and corporate communication, and Google is now bringing a similar option directly into Workspace.
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With this, users can upload a script, choose from a library of digital personas and voices, and generate a finished video. The avatar feature, previewed at Google I/O in May, is moving out of beta and into full release.
Other upgrades include smart transcript trimming, which can automatically highlight filler words such as “um” or “ah” and identify awkward pauses so they can be removed with a single click. Google is also extending Veo 3’s image-to-video technology to Vids, allowing users to generate short eight-second clips from static images.
Looking ahead, the company is developing additional capabilities such as background effects similar to Google Meet, noise reduction, and more flexible aspect ratios like portrait, landscape, and square, though no timeline has been announced. The advanced AI tools will be available to Workspace Business and Enterprise Starter users, Google AI Pro or Ultra subscribers, and Workspace for Education customers.
