Google has introduced Google Vids, an AI-powered video creation tool for Google Workspace Labs. It’s not available for normal people yet, and there’s no general release date set. Why am I telling you about a vaporware product that will certainly go through a zillion iterations before it sees the light of day? Because it looks to me like the next step in PowerPoint’s evolution.
The video suggests, “If you can make a deck, you can make a video.” That’s Google’s pitch. Vids is basically a drag-and-drop AI-assisted editing tool purpose built to help you find and insert stock audio and video into a deck.
Two things: first, “PowerPoint is a privilege, not a right.” All creators of presentation decks, regardless of software, should be trained and licensed. I’m pretty sure you should have to pass a test to get a PowerPoint permit. Second, “PowerPoint is for public speaking, not public reading!” If you’re going to read me the deck, just send me an email.
OK, with this off my chest, I absolutely hate the idea of putting this tool in the hands of unlicensed deck makers. The results will be interminable, over-produced, templated fodder. May the PowerPoint Gods have mercy on our souls.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.