"Veo 3" from "YouTube" Arrives at "Shorts" in the Middle East and North Africa

SadaNews - YouTube announced the expansion of its generative video service "Veo 3" in the Middle East over the coming weeks through "YouTube Shorts." This allows Gulf users, particularly creators in Saudi Arabia, to access the latest AI-driven video production technologies that enable the creation of fully realistic clips using only text.

This feature will first be available in English, and Google plans to roll it out to more content creators in different languages in the future. YouTube is also aiming to provide AI-based translation features for various Arab countries in the region soon. Currently, 51,000 Egyptian content creators benefit from the feature, translating from Egyptian Arabic to English to reach a global audience.

A New Leap in Visual Content

"Veo 3" represents a qualitative leap in generative AI video technology. Unlike previous models, "Veo 3" integrates audio directly into the video, including effects, ambient sounds, and dialogues, without the need for separate processing. Google DeepMind explains that the new model "allows users to add effects, sounds, and dialogues in a cohesive way that the system generates automatically."

Tech reports have described this feature as a "turning point" in the world of visual content; the model can now generate fully realistic scenes that include image and sound from just a textual description or a still image. The "Deep Learning AI" platform adds that clips generated by "Veo 3" are "closer to real content that is hard to distinguish from filmed video."

The Importance of Transformation in the Gulf

The Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, represents an ideal arena for these new technologies. According to data from the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission, internet penetration in the kingdom has exceeded 90 percent, while smartphone usage exceeds 130 percent, making it one of the most active markets on YouTube. Additionally, data from GWI research revealed a large and unique audience on the platform, stating that 61 percent of YouTube Shorts users in Saudi Arabia and 54 percent in the UAE do not use the Instagram Reels platform.

This step aligns with governmental trends in the region to accelerate digital transformation and enhance the creative economy. The "Saudi Vision 2030" places innovation at the heart of economic growth. Therefore, making "Veo 3" locally available represents a new leverage for creators, media institutions, and government entities interested in producing high-quality Arabic content.

A More Interactive Experience with Complex Risks

"Veo 3" allows the creation of complete videos based on textual commands, opening the door to new uses in education, marketing, and journalism; schools can create educational visual content in Arabic, and businesses can prepare realistic promotional materials without massive filming budgets.

However, media reports warn of the danger of "hyper-realistic videos" that could be used for deception or forgery. A report published by Axios indicated that "Veo 3" may make it difficult to distinguish real content from fake; this necessitates strict verification and control tools.

Google affirms in a blog that it has integrated built-in protective technologies such as the "SynthID" watermark to identify AI-generated content, along with strict policies for monitoring use.

Data and Digital Sovereignty… A New Challenge

As Gulf countries accelerate the establishment of sovereign data centers and local cloud computing, tools like "Veo 3" raise new questions about where data is stored and how it is managed. Generative technologies require the processing of personal texts, images, and audio, making them sensitive from a privacy perspective.

Therefore, it is likely that Google will adopt a gradual approach to comply with local regulations, such as the requirements of the National Cybersecurity Authority in Saudi Arabia and UAE data protection laws. Regional analysts indicate that the success of these tools in Gulf markets will depend on their alignment with digital sovereignty principles.

AI is Changing the Nature of Creativity

The transformation led by "Veo 3" is not limited to production tools but redefines the relationship between humans and creativity itself. Instead of the camera and editing, text has become the starting point. This idea aligns with the global trend towards "prompt-based creation."

In the Middle East, where the Arab content industry is thriving and competition among creators and media institutions is increasing, "Veo 3" can become a key enabler for a new generation of content creators who innovate in their language and export to the world in other languages.

With the launch of "Veo 3" in the region, Arabic content enters a new phase of development. A phase where AI is not just a behind-the-scenes technology but a partner in producing image, sound, and idea.