YouTube Tests AI Dream Screen for Creative Backgrounds in Shorts

YouTube Unveils an AI-Driven Dream Screen Tool for Enhancing Shorts with Custom Backgrounds

YouTube is trialing a novel artificial intelligence (AI)- enabled tool, known as Dream Screen, specifically for its vertically oriented short video format, Shorts. This tool incorporates an AI-generated custom green screen backdrop into the creators' videos. It's designed for creators looking to infuse their videos with imaginative backdrops that complement the video's theme or help their content distinguish itself. This tool is an experimental initiative from the video streaming leader, accessible solely to a handpicked cohort of Shorts creators.

Enrich Your YouTube Shorts with AI-Driven Backgrounds

On Monday, the Google-affiliated video-sharing site announced through its support page that it is exploring the Dream Screen tool, which leverages AI to craft green screen background images for Shorts. However, YouTube refrained from detailing the AI technology powering this functionality.

With access to Dream Screen, creators can input a textual prompt outlining their desired backdrop. For instance, a request for a "fancy hotel pool on a tropical island" would lead the AI to create this scene swiftly, ready to enhance a video's background. The announcement outlined the capability but left several operational questions unanswered, such as whether the green screen addition is meant for live recording or can be applied to already filmed content, and if a physical green screen is necessary or a digital equivalent would suffice, akin to the technology used in Google Meet. Additionally, YouTube has not disclosed any limitations related to AI-generated image creation, leaving room for further details to be provided on the Dream Screen feature page.

As an experimental tool—signifying a feature under Google's active testing or in beta—Dream Screen's access is restricted to a limited faction of Shorts creators. Yet, the platform anticipates expanding access to more creators throughout 2024. Concurrently, YouTube has opened its Playables feature to all users, offering over 75 complimentary games, a perk formerly exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers.