Elon Musk is bringing back one of the internet’s most beloved video apps — and giving it a futuristic upgrade.
On Wednesday, the billionaire tech mogul confirmed what Vine fans have been hoping to hear for years: the short-form video app is making a comeback, but this time, it’s powered by artificial intelligence.
“We’re bringing back Vine, but in AI form,” Musk wrote in a post on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.
The announcement quickly went viral, sparking primary media coverage and sending the VINE meme-coin surging more than 60% within hours. While Musk didn’t share any specific launch date or product details, multiple outlets, including Reuters and Newsweek, reported that X has already assembled a team for the “Vine AI” project.
A post from X.
Vine, launched in 2013 and shut down by Twitter in 2017, became iconic for its six-second videos and helped launch the careers of stars like Shawn Mendes, King Bach, and Lele Pons. The app peaked with over 200 million active users and remains a nostalgic favorite for millennials and Gen Z.
But Musk isn’t just dusting off the old Vine. According to reports, the new version will be rebuilt entirely around generative AI technology — letting users create, edit, and discover short videos using advanced tools powered by his AI company, xAI.
Earlier this year, xAI acquired Hotshot, a generative video startup. Its AI models, currently in training on a supercomputer cluster called “Colossus,” are expected to power the new Vine experience — possibly allowing users to create six-second clips just by typing a prompt.
The timing isn’t random. Short-form video dominates the internet today, accounting for over 80% of global traffic and projected to reach 90% by the end of the year. TikTok leads the space but faces increasing regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe — creating an opening for new players.
At the same time, many TikTok creators are already spreading their content across platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. A fresh Vine, especially one offering better monetization and easier creation through AI, could give them another reason to jump ship.
And let’s not forget the power of nostalgia. For a generation that grew up quoting iconic Vine clips (“Look at all those chickens!”), the idea of a reboot — especially one with Musk’s backing — is hard to ignore.
According to tech insiders, here’s what users might expect from the reimagined app:
- Create from a prompt: Users could instantly type a sentence and generate a short video.
- Smart editing: Features like one-tap editing, automatic captions, and stylized effects.
- Personalized feed: AI-curated content tailored to each user’s interests.
- Built-in monetization: AI tools could help match creators with brand deals or dynamically insert ads, a key feature Musk has cited as missing from the original Vine.
Of course, bringing back Vine won’t be as easy as flipping a switch.
Real-time video generation is still expensive and complex, especially on mobile devices. Copyright issues around AI-generated content could also raise red flags, and Musk’s track record for launching ambitious projects on time has faced scrutiny in the past.
Perhaps the biggest question is whether creators — the heart of any platform — will embrace the new Vine. Competing platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer substantial payouts, and Vine will need to meet or beat those incentives to win talent back.
Rumors suggest a closed alpha could launch this fall for select X Premium+ users, followed by a public beta in January at CES 2026. If the roadmap sticks, creators could start earning through ads and crypto tips by spring next year.
In the meantime, fans and former Vine stars are already lining up, hopeful that this reboot will finally bring back the magic—and this time, keep it.