YouTube has taken a page from Sora’s playbook.
Sora’s Remix tool, which was developed by OpenAI, used natural-language commands to edit pre-existing videos, allowing users to add, remove, or edit objects in a video, according to information shared in a YouTube video. Sora also had a “Cameos” feature, which allowed users to create and use their likenesses in AI-generated videos. However, those features are no longer available on Sora, and its web app shut down on April 26, 2026, according to the company.
YouTube, owned by Google and reaching 3 billion users, is now picking up the mantle by rolling out its own “Remix” feature for Shorts. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the feature at its Google I/O event Tuesday, May 19.
Remixing with Gemini Omni
According to The Hollywood Reporter, users will be able to write prompts and remix an original short to change its style or add themselves to the video, without altering the video’s original context. YouTube will leverage Gemini Omni, Google’s latest model that makes it easier to edit videos with natural language, according to a press release.
“Remix an eligible Short by adding your own prompts and images to create an entirely new vision, like changing the scene into a 90’s vibe or inserting yourself alongside your favorite creator, all while the context of the original video stays the same,” YouTube said in the press release. “Remixing with Omni delivers a fresh way for users to create and build on each other’s imagination. The model better understands user intent creating more consistent and meaningful storytelling while also handling complex video and audio adjustments behind the scenes. This means you can spend less time worrying about technical skills and more time focusing on your ideas.”
YouTube shared it will include digital watermarks and metadata, as well as link users back to the original video. It said, “Creators are always in control of their content and have the flexibility to opt out of visual remix in Shorts at any time.” The press release also noted its likeness detection tool has expanded to all creators 18 and older. The tool was launched to help creators detect and manage AI-generated content that uses their likeness, such as deepfakes, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. It had originally only been released to a limited number of creators as well as a pilot group of government officials, journalists, and political candidates.
Remixing with Omni will be available to users at no cost in YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app. It will later launch on YouTube’s AI Playground.
