AI-generated media models have hit a major milestone: Google’s Imagen 4 and Veo 3 introduce sharper images, more accurate text rendering, and, crucially, the ability to generate videos complete with audio and dialogue. These upgrades are available now for enterprise users through Vertex AI and for consumers via select Google platforms, streamlining creative workflows and opening new possibilities for marketers, filmmakers, and everyday creators.
Imagen 4: Sharper Images and Smarter Text
Imagen 4, Google’s latest image generation model, delivers a noticeable leap in output quality. The model produces images with improved clarity, capturing fine details such as intricate fabrics, water droplets, and animal fur. Users will observe more accurate prompt adherence across a range of artistic styles, from photorealistic scenes to abstract compositions. A standout feature is the model’s upgraded handling of text: Imagen 4 can now generate images containing crisp, legible writing, making it practical for creating posters, comics, and greeting cards without the garbled letters that plagued earlier versions.
Multilingual prompt support means creators worldwide can use Imagen 4 in their native languages, removing barriers to entry. The model is accessible through the Gemini app, Google’s Whisk tool, Vertex AI, and is integrated into Google Workspace products like Docs and Slides. For developers, the API enables programmatic image generation with customizable parameters.
Step 1: To generate an image, access Vertex AI’s Media Studio or use the Python SDK. Provide a detailed text prompt describing the desired scene, style, or content. For example:
prompt = """
A white wall with two Art Deco travel posters mounted. First poster has the text: "NEPTUNE", tagline: "The jewel of the solar system!" Second poster has the text: "JUPITER", tagline: "Travel with the giants!"
"""
image = client.models.generate_images(
model="imagen-4.0-generate-preview-05-20",
prompt=prompt,
)
Step 2: Review the generated image. Imagen 4’s improved text rendering and style fidelity will be evident, especially in prompts requiring specific fonts, layouts, or visual motifs. For multilingual users, prompts can be written in supported languages to produce culturally relevant content.
Imagen 4 also supports a range of aspect ratios and resolutions up to 2K, making it suitable for print, presentations, and digital campaigns. A “fast variant” of the model is scheduled for release soon, promising image generation speeds up to ten times faster than previous versions.
Veo 3: AI Video Generation with Synchronized Audio
Veo 3 addresses one of AI video’s biggest limitations: silence. Until now, AI-generated videos lacked synchronized audio, forcing users to add soundtracks and dialogue manually. Veo 3 changes this by generating video with built-in audio tracks, including ambient sounds, music, and even character dialogue with accurate lip sync. This development streamlines the content creation process, allowing for rapid prototyping and more immersive storytelling.
The model builds on its predecessor’s strengths, producing higher-quality video from both text and image prompts. Veo 3’s understanding of real-world physics, scene composition, and cinematic techniques results in more realistic and visually coherent clips. The model is capable of generating videos that adhere closely to detailed prompts, whether you’re describing a bustling city street, a whimsical animation, or a historical drama with spoken lines.
Step 1: To generate a video, supply Veo 3 with a text prompt describing the scene, desired audio elements, and any dialogue. For example:
prompt = """
A historical adventure: Warm lamplight illuminates a cartographer in a cluttered study, poring over an ancient map. Cartographer says: "According to this old sea chart, the lost island isn't myth! We must prepare an expedition immediately!" Include background paper shuffling and creaking chair sounds.
"""
video = client.models.generate_videos(
model="veo-3.0-generate-preview-05-20",
prompt=prompt,
)
Step 2: Review the output. Veo 3 will deliver a video file with synchronized visuals and audio, including voice-over and environmental sounds as specified. The model’s ability to interpret and execute narrative prompts means creators can script scenes much like a director would, reducing the need for post-production editing.
Veo 3 is currently available for Ultra and Pro subscribers in the U.S. via the Gemini app and Google’s new Flow filmmaking tool, as well as for enterprise use on Vertex AI. Flow, in particular, is designed for storytellers and filmmakers, offering camera controls, scene extension, and asset management to maintain visual and narrative consistency across multiple clips.
For marketers and creative teams, Veo 3’s audio-video generation slashes production timelines and costs. Companies like Klarna, Kraft Heinz, and Envato have reported significant reductions in content creation time, with tasks that once took weeks now completed in hours.
Responsible AI Content: Safety, Watermarking, and Control
Google has prioritized security and transparency in its generative models. All outputs from Imagen 4 and Veo 3 are embedded with SynthID watermarks—imperceptible digital signatures that allow for future identification of AI-generated content. This safeguards against misuse and supports content authenticity, a growing concern as synthetic media becomes more realistic.
Both models incorporate configurable safety filters that screen prompts and outputs for inappropriate or harmful content. Organizations can adjust filter aggressiveness to align with brand standards, and have granular control over elements like person generation in images and videos. These safeguards ensure that creative freedom does not come at the expense of ethical or reputational risks.
Getting Started with Google’s Generative Media Suite
To begin using Imagen 4 or Veo 3, users can access the models through Vertex AI’s Media Studio, the Gemini app, or Google’s Flow tool (for those with the appropriate subscription tier). Developers can integrate these models into custom workflows via available APIs, enabling automated image and video generation at scale.
For enterprises, Google offers $300 in free credits for new users to experiment with these AI capabilities. Documentation and resources are available for onboarding, prompt engineering, and integration guidance.
With these advancements, Google’s Imagen 4 and Veo 3 models set a new benchmark for AI-powered creativity, making photorealistic, text-accurate images and fully produced videos with audio accessible to a wider audience.
As AI-generated media becomes more sophisticated, these tools give creators, marketers, and storytellers new ways to bring ideas to life—no sound engineer or illustrator required.
Member discussion