Google Imagen, AI Video, & How to Prepare For the AI Economy

The world of artificial intelligence is evolving faster than ever, and as a marketer, keeping up can feel like trying to drink from a firehose. Trust me, I’ve been there. Every week, there’s a new AI tool or breakthrough that promises to change everything—AI-generated video, hyper-realistic imagery, even tools to help you prepare for the AI-driven economy. But what’s real, what’s useful, and how do you make it work for you? Let’s dive into some of the latest insights and actionable ideas to help you stay ahead of the curve.

The Current State of AI Video: Progress, But Not There Yet

AI video creation has been a hot topic recently, and while there’s a ton of potential, the truth is we’re still in the early days. If you’re imagining high-quality, Hollywood-level promo videos being generated entirely from a couple of text prompts, pump the brakes. We’re not quite there—yet.

So, what’s the deal? Right now, AI-generated video tools can produce short clips, some basic B-roll footage, and even write scripts to match your prompt input. That’s cool and all, except the quality is… well, let’s call it “experimental.” When I tried some of these tools, here’s what I saw:

• Pros: The process is user-friendly, often requiring nothing more than a text prompt or some minor script editing. It’s fast, and it’s cost-effective if you’re working on basic projects.
• Cons: The output typically lacks polish. Think robotic voiceovers, mismatched visuals, and a script that might remind you of a high school PowerPoint project. Not exactly ready for prime-time marketing campaigns.

If your needs are simple—maybe you’re producing a quick internal training video or something low-stakes—it’s worth experimenting with tools like CapCut’s AI video feature. But let’s be real: for anything that represents your brand publicly, you’ll still need a human touch or professional-grade software. Until costs for AI-generated video processing come down (and the tech catches up), this space will remain a “watch and wait” kind of area for most marketers.

Why Google Imagen (or ImageFX) is a Game-Changer for Marketers

On the other hand, AI-generated images have come a long way, and Google’s new tool, “Imagen” (or ImageFX, depending on where you land), has me genuinely excited. After playing around with it for just five minutes, I found myself thinking, “This is officially better than most alternatives out there.” Sorry, MidJourney, but it might be time for me to pack my bags.

Here’s why Google Imagen stands out:

• It’s crazy accurate: Have you ever asked an AI platform to generate an image, only to have it botch the details (hello, six-fingered hands)? Imagen delivers images that stick much closer to the original prompts, whether it’s physics, proportions, or lighting.
• Flexibility in style: One thing MidJourney fans rave about is its unique artistic style. But Imagen can do it too—you just need to ask for specific stylistic elements (e.g., dramatic lighting or moody shadows), and it nails the vibe you want.
• Built-in editing tools: Imagen offers in-painting capabilities, meaning you can tweak specific parts of the image instead of getting frustrated when editing ruins the whole thing. Need to adjust lighting on one element or swap out a background? Easy.

Let me give you an example of how you might use this in marketing. You’ve got a blog post launching next week, and the accompanying stock image feels generic and uninspired. With Imagen, you can generate exactly the right visual–from a TV-headed mascot for a social post to a sleek graphic for your newsletter. In less than 10 minutes, you’ve got something custom and, most importantly, on point.

Pro Tip: Imagen also lets you feed it a “‘seed’ image,” making it possible to generate visuals aligned to a specific character or theme. While it doesn’t have MidJourney’s full character replication just yet, most marketers don’t use that advanced feature anyway. For now, Imagen’s flexibility and ease of use will cover 99% of the things you’ll need on a daily basis.

How Marketers Can Prepare for the AI Economy

Beyond tools like AI video and image generation, let’s talk about the bigger elephant in the room: preparing for the AI-driven economy. Whether or not AI is part of your daily workflow yet, you can bet it will be soon. The good news? You’ve got time, and knowing where to focus will set you up for success.

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Start experimenting with AI now: Don’t wait for perfection. Play with free or low-cost tools like Canva’s AI features, ChatGPT for copywriting, or Google Imagen for visuals. You’ll learn what works—and what doesn’t—for your business without big upfront investments.
2. Understand the limits: Not all AI tools are ready for prime time, as we’ve seen with AI video. Know the strengths of each tool and where it’s safe to rely on them versus needing human intervention.
3. Sharpen your creative lens: AI is great at following prompts, but it’s only as good as your input. Learning how to write clear, creative prompts is a skill that pays off. Practice makes perfect!
4. Pay attention to costs: Tools like Google Imagen work great because they’re free or low-cost right now, but AI processing is expensive overall. As these tools evolve, prices could climb—or developers might throttle capabilities. Keep an eye on where tech meets budget.
5. Anticipate integration: Industry tools are starting to integrate AI capabilities directly into platforms (e.g., email marketing tools with generative image creation). Pay attention to updates from the software you’re already relying on.

The Bottom Line

As tech continues to evolve, it’s clear that AI will reshape how we create, market, and do business. From faster workflows to more personalized customer experiences, the possibilities are endless—if you stay curious and adaptable. Keep experimenting, embrace what works, and don’t stress about perfection. The tools are improving every day, and your ability to leverage them effectively will grow just as fast.

So, what’s the next step in the AI journey for your business? Start small, get comfortable, and keep an eye on the horizon—because big things are coming.

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