On January 14, 2026, Veo3.1 will undergo a major update, with a focus on Ingredients to Video, native vertical output, and 4K super-resolution capabilities. This upgrade significantly improves the visual consistency between characters and backgrounds, supports direct generation of 9:16 frames suitable for short video platforms, and provides professional grade 1080p and 4K image quality through advanced super-resolution technology. At present, new features have been launched on channels such as Gemini app, Flow, Gemini API, Vertex AI, and YouTube Shorts/Create, marking the transition of AI videos from demonstrations to practical production.
Multi image reference consistency innovation: bidding farewell to the era of "role collapse"
The core feature of Veo3.1, "Ingredients to Video," supports users to upload up to three reference images simultaneously - which can be portraits, scene backgrounds, or object textures - combined with brief text descriptions to generate dynamic video content. The biggest breakthrough of this update lies in the significant improvement of cross scene visual consistency: the same character maintains identity stability in different shots, and background elements and material textures can be seamlessly reused, effectively solving common problems such as "face deformation", "object drift", and "scene jumping" in previous AI videos.
More noteworthy is that even with extremely simplified prompt words, the system can output more expressive action deduction, more natural dialogue scenes, and smoother narrative rhythm. This means that creators can significantly reduce iteration costs and achieve video output close to professional standards with minimal input. For teams that need to create coherent narrative short films or brand stories, this feature can make "multiple scene performances of the same protagonist" a reality, achieving a dual leap in creative freedom and professionalism.
4K Super Resolution Enhancement: Entering the Professional Production Field
The video resolution is another major upgrade in this update. Veo3.1 has a basic generation resolution of 720p, but with the help of Google's advanced super-resolution technology, it can output 1080p high-definition versions (sharp and clear images, suitable for editing and post-processing) and a brand new 4K resolution version (suitable for large screen playback and high fidelity production needs).
The 4K super-resolution function is currently open on Flow, Gemini API, and Vertex AI platform, providing "high fidelity production process" support for professional creators and enterprise users. This means that AI videos are no longer limited to social media dissemination, but can be applied to scenarios such as commercial advertising, brand promotion videos, product demonstrations, etc. that require strict picture quality requirements. From technical demonstration to commercial delivery, Veo3.1 is crossing this critical threshold.
Comprehensive coverage of platform ecology: from early exploration to large-scale application
The update of Veo3.1 not only stays at the technical level, but also makes a comprehensive layout in the platform ecosystem:
Flow platform: supports fast generation of Veo3.1-Fast models, the "Ingredients to Video" function has been fully launched, and offers 1080p and 4K resolution options
Gemini App: Subscription users (Plus/Pro/Ultra) can immediately experience full functionality
API and Vertex AI: open to developers and enterprise users, supporting customized integration
This multi-level platform layout ensures that both individual creators and enterprise level users can find suitable ways to use AI video tools, driving them from "niche experiments" to "mass applications".
AI video generation enters the 'usable' stage
The Veo3.1 update accurately hits the two core pain points of AI video tools: visual consistency and platform adaptability. The three major upgrades of cross scene stability between characters and objects, native vertical output, and 4K level image quality support have truly pushed the tool from the experimental stage to the commercial threshold.
For short video creators, this means they can produce high-quality content at lower costs and faster speeds; For enterprise level users, AI video tools are beginning to have the ability to undertake professional production needs; For the entire industry, this marks a shift in AI video generation from 'technically feasible' to 'commercially viable'.
With the gradual promotion of Veo3.1 on platforms such as Flow, Gemini, and YouTube, we have reason to believe that AI generated videos will usher in a truly explosive period in 2026- the complete production chain from content creation to final delivery is being deeply reshaped by AI tools.
