According to pictory, short-form video can expand reach, and its guide explains how to produce optimized YouTube Shorts in Pictory AI using a 9:16 vertical layout, auto-captions, and engaging visuals to improve watch time and retention. As reported by Pictory AI Academy, the workflow covers selecting vertical templates, trimming clips to under 60 seconds, adding branded captions and emojis, and exporting in 1080x1920 for mobile-first distribution, enabling faster content repurposing for marketers and creators. According to Pictory AI’s blog, businesses can convert webinars or long videos into Shorts with AI-assisted scene selection and captioning, reducing production time while increasing discoverability via YouTube’s Shorts shelf and sound library.

According to Google Gemini (@GeminiApp), the Gemini AI platform now enables users to transform vertical images into videos while preserving original aspect ratio and orientation. This feature, accessed via the 'Video chip,' streamlines the creation of vertical-format content optimized for social platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Businesses and creators can efficiently repurpose images for video marketing campaigns, reducing production time and aligning with mobile-first content consumption trends (source: @GeminiApp, Jan 13, 2026).

According to Google DeepMind, three major AI updates are now available for developers: Veo 3 and Veo 3 Fast models are now production-ready within the Gemini API, enabling scalable AI video generation. The API also supports creation of 16:9 aspect ratio videos in 1080p HD, offering higher video quality for professional applications. Additionally, developers can now generate 9:16 vertical clips, addressing the growing demand for mobile-first and social media video formats. These advancements significantly expand practical AI video creation tools, making it easier for businesses and content creators to produce high-quality, platform-optimized videos at scale (source: Google DeepMind Twitter, goo.gle/4niwJOZ).