Meta launches a surreal AI video editor

Meta's impressive Movie Gen AI editing tool is starting to bear fruit. On Tuesday, the company launched a new editor for short videos, "inspired by" the technology. The editor lets you transform your clothing, location, style and more. The examples the company showcased are head-turning. We're getting closer to Hollywood-level CG effects that anyone can produce in a few seconds.

The editor lets you choose from over 50 preset prompts. You can transform your video's subject into things like comic art, a marble statue or a video game character. Or, transport them to a beach or a snowy scene. You can also add dreamy lighting effects and color overlays.

You can't yet type custom prompts. However, those are scheduled for later this year.

The AI editor is the first commercial spawn of Meta's Movie Gen tech. Previewed last year as a private research tool, its results are surprisingly realistic. Like the tool Meta launched today, it can edit non-AI videos. But it can also generate videos from scratch and turn photos into videos. (Don't be shocked if those capabilities migrate to Meta's consumer products, too.)

For now, the new editing tool is available on the Meta AI app, Meta.AI website and the Edits app. It's also coming to Instagram "over time," according to platform head Adam Mosseri. (He also teased the feature last year.) Mosseri's demo video shows some wild examples of the effects you can try.