April 7, 2026

Google doubles down on AI video

Plus: Make AI music from your own voice.
Evelyn Le
By
Evelyn Le
Editor, Lead with AI

Google deepens its AI video push as OpenAI winds down Sora

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Google is expanding AI video across Vids at the same time ​OpenAI is shutting down Sora ​as a standalone product surface. Google has rolled out major updates and is bringing Veo 3.1 video generation, custom music, more directable avatars, easier recording, and direct YouTube publishing into Vids.

Here are the key updates:

  • Veo 3.1 video generation is now available in Vids for all Google accounts: Anyone with a Google account can generate video clips in Vids using Veo 3.1, and personal accounts get 10 generations per month at no cost.
  • Google added AI music generation inside Vids: Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers can now create custom soundtracks in Vids using Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro, with support for tracks ranging from short clips up to three minutes.
  • AI avatars in Vids are more directable: Paid users can place avatars in specific scenes, have them interact with uploaded objects, and guide them with prompts and reference images while keeping a consistent face and voice across scenes.
  • Google added a Chrome screen recorder for Vids: The new Google Vids Screen Recorder Chrome extension lets users record their screen and themselves directly from the browser without opening Vids first.
  • Vids can now publish directly to YouTube: Google has added direct export from Vids to YouTube, with uploads defaulting to Private first.

The widest access is for Veo 3.1 clip generation, while custom music and the more advanced avatar controls remain tied to Google AI Pro and Ultra tiers.

​​Read more about Google’s latest Vids upgrades​​​

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Your AI Team Updates

Suno v5.5 makes music from your own voice

Suno has released v5.5, its latest music model, with a clear focus on personalization rather than just better raw generation.

The update introduces Voices, which lets users create music with their own voice, Custom Models, which tune the system on a user’s own tracks, and My Taste, which learns a user’s preferences over time.

​Explore Suno v5.5​​​​

Perplexity brings Computer into Slack and launches Computer for Taxes

Perplexity has brought Computer into Slack. Users can ask questions across the web and Slack itself, get cited answers in threads, attach files, and assign longer-running tasks that Computer can continue in the background. Computer can also orchestrate workflows across connected tools, such as turning a spec into tickets or drafting content and updates across apps.

It has also introduced Computer for Taxes, which is designed to help users move through the actual tax process, including gathering documents, understanding what is needed, and completing filing-related steps inside a guided workflow.

​Learn more about Perplexity Computer in Slack​

​Fill your Taxes with Computer​​​​

Google upgrades Slides with editable, brand-matched generation

Google has upgraded Gemini in Slides so it can now create fully editable, brand-matched slides instead of just generating visuals that still need rebuilding.

Gemini can analyze an existing deck to match its style, use dynamic layouts tailored to the content, pull from specific files or relevant Drive materials, and now also enhance existing slides by updating layouts, design elements, or content.

​​​​Learn more about Gemini’s latest Slides update

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Evelyn Le
By
Evelyn Le
Editor, Lead with AI

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