{
  "id": 5651919,
  "title": "Google Slides AI is laughably bad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/google-slides-ai-is-laughably-bad",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-04T22:10:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/michaelsalim/google-slides-ai-is-laughably-bad-2iel"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google Slides recently rolled out an AI feature called \"Beautify\" that converts editable content into static images, leaving users unable to make further modifications. This highlights a larger issue: the legacy slide file formats are hindering true AI-driven editing capabilities. Simpler, human-readable formats like Bento's single HTML file could enable more powerful, editable AI features. While AI models are powerful enough to generate pictures and videos, the complex, backward-compatible slide data models limit AI integration. Switching to a lightweight, editable data model, such as TheOpenPresenter's plain JSON format, could pave the way for more seamless AI-enhanced presentations.",
  "summary": "💡 TL;DR & Key Takeaways: **TL;DR** Google Slides’ new “Beautify” AI merely snapshots a slide as an image, exposing how legacy slide file formats hinder true AI‑driven editing. Simpler, plain‑text formats (e.g., single‑file HTML slides) could unlock seamless, editable AI enhancements. - The “Beautify” button converts editable content into a static image, preventing further modifications. -…",
  "key_points": [
    "Google Slides AI feature 'Beautify' converts editable content to static images.",
    "Legacy slide file formats hinder true AI-driven editing capabilities.",
    "Human-readable formats like Bento's single HTML file enable more powerful AI features."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}