YouTube Aims to Attract TikTok Users with New AI Backgrounds

If you’re in search of rapid, ready-to-upload AI videos, YouTube has introduced a promising new feature that may pique your interest. While the Shorts segment of YouTube has yet to significantly challenge TikTok’s dominance in the realm of short-form video content, its latest AI background generator could be worth your consideration.

YouTube Unveils AI Green Screen Feature for Effortless Video Creation

YouTube recently announced on X that it is rolling out AI backgrounds, enabling users to quickly create videos featuring AI-generated backgrounds. This new feature, dubbed Dream Screen, employs text-to-image prompts, similar to TikTok’s AI Greenscreen effect.

You might think of this as YouTube playing catch-up to TikTok, and you’d have a point. However, in a few ways, this feature surpasses TikTok’s offering.

One standout aspect of Dream Screen is its capability to introduce motion to AI-generated visuals. This means you can choose to have either a static background or a dynamic video playing behind you. Moreover, the visuals come in various styles rather than just the classic surreal art often associated with TikTok’s greenscreen feature. The Dream Screen allows you to Select Style, which includes options like “Vintage,” mimicking old photographs, and “Clay,” which evokes a claymation feel.

How to Use Dream Screen on YouTube Shorts

The Dream Screen feature is currently available to users in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Accessing this feature is surprisingly straightforward compared to TikTok’s AI Greenscreen, which requires navigating through various effects in the app.

To use it, open the YouTube app, go to the Shorts tab, and tap the + icon to start a new post. Then, select the Greenscreen Icon found on the right panel, and the Dream Screen Icon will be at the very top. Enter your desired text prompt, and once the platform produces images in your chosen style, you can decide whether to make it a still or a video background.

As a note, during this experimental phase, you’ll see the label “Experiment” throughout the process—a reminder to be patient with potential hiccups. I found the motion generation to be quite impressive. For instance, when I asked it to create a simple video of coffee pouring into a mug, it produced an image with a warm, vintage film aesthetic that looked very realistic, avoiding the usual oddities often seen in AI images. The motion was nearly flawless, except for a moment at the end when the coffee stream seemed to defy physics.

Despite its quirks, this tool appears valuable, particularly for those who may not have extensive resources—like creating a teaser for a new coffee brand. As a film enthusiast, I believe that AI-generated content cannot (and likely will never) replace genuine filmmaking. However, I can see its advantages for entrepreneurs or creators needing to whip up a concept video without substantial time, financial resources, or advanced video skills. Additionally, with YouTube expanding the Shorts length limit to three minutes, you have more creative freedom with your AI-driven content.