Google announces its recent addition to its Workspace suite, Vids designed to create collaborative video suite for business functions such as pitch decks, team communication, and even internal training sessions. Vids use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in video creation has garnered attention from businesses looking for efficient solutions and has positioned itself as a significant supplement to PPTs. “However, as Vids steps into a competitive arena, implementing proactive strategies to continually enhance Vids’ functionality and adaptability will be crucial for maintaining its long-term relevance and effectiveness in the ever-evolving business landscape,” Devroop Dhar, co-founder and managing director, Primus Partners, explained.
Introducing Vids: The next gen workspace!
Vids Google’s newest workspace app can generate a storyboard that users can easily edit. After choosing a style, it connects together the user’s first draft with suggested scenes from stock videos, images and background music. “Vids can also help you land your message with the right voice over either choose one of our pre-set voice overs or use your own. It’s your video, writing, production and editing assistant all in one. Vids will be released to Workspace Labs in June,” Aparna Pappu, vice president and general manager, Google Workspace, highlighted.
Experts suggest that by introducing a tool tailored for creating collaborative and shareable videos, Google is recognising the evolving preferences and needs of modern workplaces. “This move can be a departure from traditional slide decks towards more engaging methods of communication. If Vids proves successful, it could indeed signal a decline in the dominance of slide decks, paving the way for a new era of productivity tools centered around video-based collaboration within the Workspace app,” Varghese Cherian, head of technology services, UST, explained.
The road ahead
Industry experts believe that Google Vids has the potential to be a gamechanger in the online video streaming industry. Vids integration with other workspace apps such as Gmail, calendar, and drive might streamline workflows and enhance productivity. “ Employees can ditch the dry documents and emails, opting for more engaging video updates and presentations. This could lead to better understanding, increased collaboration, and a more dynamic work environment. However, there’s also the potential for information overload and poorly produced videos. Training and clear guidelines will be crucial for maximizing the benefits of Vids,” Tarun Nazare, co-founder and CEO, Neokred, mentioned.
Critics argue that implementation of robust systems for content identification and removal to address copyright infringement while also negotiating and maintaining licensing agreements with content creators and rights holders is a challenge for Vids. Another loophole can be content moderation and ensuring compliance with regulations related to harmful or illegal content while upholding a right to free speech. “Vids can make our lives easier, however, it will not be replacing the other existing applications for Video Production. The impact on Vids depends largely on Google’s marketing strategy, user adoption rates, and ongoing development efforts,” Moiz Arsiwala, co-founder and CTO, WorkIndia India, said.
Overall, while Google Vids faces significant legal hurdles, its advantages in legal resources, technology, and market position position it well to navigate the complex landscape of the digital streaming industry. “Despite these challenges, it enjoys several advantages as a legal entity. Its affiliation with Google provides access to extensive legal resources. Additionally, Google Vids benefits from the resources to invest in advanced technology for content identification and moderation, which can aid in compliance,” Siddharth Chandrashekhar, advocate and counsel, Bombay High Court, concluded.
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