Watch: Amazon announces AI-powered tools for creating video ads

Businesses that sell on Amazon will have access to new generative AI tools allowing them to create video ads from a single product image.

There are actually two related products that Amazon announced — live image and video generator. Both of them are being pitched as a way for sellers to easily create video ads without having to spend time or money on video production or animation.

Live images are shorter — they’re basically animated GIFs. For example, Amazon’s promo videos show photos of coffee mugs and flower vases and telescopes being turned into brief animations that might do a better job than a photo of grabbing shoppers’ attention as they scroll past.

Video generator is supposed to be more in-depth. Amazon says the tool “curates custom AI-generated videos tailored to a product’s distinct selling proposition and features.”

On today’s TechCrunch Minute, we talk about the potential and lingering questions around Amazon’s use of generative AI.