Google launches Veo 3.1 Lite, Gemini executive ‘makes fun’ of OpenAI shutting Sora
Google has made two announcements related to its AI video-making tool Veo. The first is the launch of Veo 3.1 Lite, and second, is the announcment of a price cut for its existing Veo 3.1 Fast model. Google’s Veo 3.1 Lite is a new budget-friendly video generation model designed to make AI-powered video accessible to a far wider range of developers.
What is Veo 3.1 Lite
Veo 3.1 Lite is Google’s most cost-effective video generation model to date, the company said, adding that it is priced less than 50% of the cost of Veo 3.1 Fast while matching it in speed. The model is aimed at developers building high-volume video applications who need to keep costs manageable without sacrificing performance, Google said.The new model supports both Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video generation, which means that developers can create video either from a written prompt or from an existing image. It offers flexible aspect ratios: landscape at 16:9 and portrait at 9:16, and supports both 720p (HD) and 1080p (FHD) resolutions.
Developers can also choose from three clip lengths: 4, 6, or 8 seconds, with pricing adjusting based on the duration selected. Veo 3.1 Lite is available now through the paid tier on the Gemini API and Google AI Studio.Google says that Veo 3.1 Lite is rolling out and developers can access the model via paid tier on the Gemini API and Google AI Studio.
Veo 3.1 Fast price is falling too
Google also announced that it will reduce the pricing for Veo 3.1 Fast starting April 7, making the faster, more capable model more accessible to developers who need greater performance but have been put off by the cost.“Our commitment to making video generation more available to developers doesn’t stop with the release of Veo 3.1 Lite. Stay tuned for more updates soon!” the company said.
Google executive takes subtle jab at OpenAI
The announcement came alongside what appeared to be a pointed dig at OpenAI, whose AI video tool Sora was recently shut down. Google Al Studio and Gemini API product head Logan Kilpatrick said that “Video’s here to stay.”“Video’s here to stay – introducing Veo 3.1 Lite, our most cost efficient video generation model to date, and on April 7th we are also reducing the price for Veo 3.1 Fast : ),” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). This suggests that Google is eager to position itself as the reliable, available and affordable alternative.
