In recent months, social media platforms have been flooded with AI-generated videos and Studio Ghibli-style images. While many people enjoyed making Studio Ghibli-style images of themselves, the trend raised an important question: How easy is it to create art with AI?
Now, there are a lot of aspects to it, and it is a complex question, but it also makes you think about how AI can create artworks in seconds, which usually takes hours to months and even years in some cases. Today, we will look at one aspect of it, and that is video editing.
Video editing is also an art as it involves creative expression, skill, and imagination. Typically, video editing demands meticulous attention to detail, with editors spending numerous hours cutting, arranging, and fine-tuning footage. However, with generative AI and other AI video editing tools, many aspects of video editing are automated and streamlined.
How AI is Redefining Video Editing
Usually, we think of video editing to be a process that involves the use of video editing software to make a video more appealing. Now, it is usually cutting, trimming, and sequencing the recorded video clips. Then, adding transitions, visual effects, and audio elements to enhance the overall presentation.
But what if you did not need any of it? Because that is what a lot of generative AI models are doing nowadays. All you have to do is enter the prompt with clear instructions on how you want the video to look, including the transitions, effects, and everything else. As soon as you hit enter, the model will give you an exact video that you want. From an AI perspective, that is still video editing, but you just receive the end product.
So, if we talk about how AI is changing the future of video editing, I would say it is completely redefining the definition of video editing. I mean, if you already receive a ready-to-post video that does not require changes, why would you need video editing? So that is probably the biggest impact of generative AI on video editing.
The Rise of Generative AI Video Tools
Imagine you have to shoot a drone shot of a lighthouse on the edge of a cliff, and a beautiful ocean backdrop. If you had to shoot it manually, it would cost you hundreds of dollars, if not thousands.
That is just the monetary aspect of it, and when you combine the logistical and environmental challenges, the costs ramp up. But with video generation tools like OpenAI’s Sora or Kling AI, you can create pretty realistic footage of the same thing in just seconds, without going anywhere and at a fraction of the price.
The fact is, these generative AI video tools, such as Sora, Runway, Invideo AI, and others, have made it affordable to achieve complex video shots that would normally cost thousands of dollars.
It is beneficial for all. First, the production houses can save a fortune on some shots. Also, these tools are democratizing access to such sophisticated shots for normal users. So if tomorrow, you and I decide that we want to create a video with fancy shots, we wouldn’t have to worry about selling our houses.
In this sense, Generative AI is truly transforming the video editing game.
Automated Editing with AI
You might have seen a lot of short clips on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, or TikTok of podcasts where they only show the key highlights in short videos. They are good to watch, as they provide all the information in short clips.
On the production side, AI-powered platforms like OpusClip are at the forefront of this transformation. OpusClip utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze long-form videos and automatically generate short, engaging clips optimized for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Features such as auto-captioning, filler word removal, and B-roll integration further enhance the editing process, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
There are so many pages and channels on social media platforms that are making a significant living using these short clips from podcasts and interviews. That is definitely a thing worth considering.
A Source of Income
If you are someone who has worked in the animation industry before 2020, ask yourself, “How much time will it take me to create a short animated story?” Well, it could take days, weeks, and even months, depending on the story.
However, with AI tools, many people are creating YouTube Shorts and Reels with short story content and earning a lot. We will be doing a separate, detailed article on this.
But the workflow is typically like this:
- Use ChatGPT to generate a creative short story.
- Then use ElevenLabs for character dialogues.
- Use Adobe Express for character animation and lip sync.
- Put it all together on Canva with a good background.
- Post as a Reel or Short.
That is how you can create a short animated story. Many people have been using this method to post on YouTube and Instagram to make a reliable income.
AI won’t replace video editors. But editors who use AI will replace those who don’t.
Challenges and Ethical Concerns of AI Video Editing
When it comes to any new technology, nothing is black and white, no matter how much we want it to be. The same is true with generative AI and AI in video editing. The new tools and technologies do have their fair share of ethical concerns.
Authenticity Concerns
The proliferation of AI-generated content has led to concerns about quality and authenticity. Sora from AI is one of the top AI video generation tools currently available. Despite being very reliable, it still has issues when you ask for some specific types of videos. But we have seen that these things get better and better with time, and so will such AI video generation tools.
Also, it is fair to admit that many AI-generated videos do not look that authentic at the moment. Remember when fake movie trailers and game trailers were a big thing? Well, now people use AI-generated fake movie trailers, and they have been criticized for misleading viewers and diminishing artistic value.
Creative Expression
At the end of the day, videos and video editing are an art. It is all about the creator expressing themselves in a way that people relate to or are captivated by. But, AI as we know it is not an artist. It is just really good at reading a lot of data and giving you a desired output. Also, while creating videos from AI or editing them, you are not as immersed in your art, so the creative expression suffers. That is also a big concern for a lot of people.
The use of AI in filmmaking also raises ethical questions regarding authorship and creative legitimacy. The AI-generated film “What’s Next?” sparked debate over the role of AI in creative processes and the potential for job displacement within the industry. These are some complex ethical questions that require a lot of attention.
Wrapping Up
AI is transforming video editing by automating complex tasks, reducing costs, and making high-quality content creation accessible to everyone.
From generating cinematic visuals to instantly clipping podcast highlights, it’s streamlining workflows like never before. However, this convenience comes with concerns about authenticity, creative ownership, and artistic value. While AI can mimic creativity, it lacks the human touch that gives storytelling its soul.
The future of video editing lies in striking a balance. One must use AI as a powerful tool while preserving the essence of human creativity. When combined thoughtfully, human vision and machine precision can redefine what’s possible in visual storytelling.
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Generative AI in video editing refers to using AI models that can create videos based on text prompts, automate cuts, or enhance visuals.
Popular tools include Sora by OpenAI, Runway ML, OpusClip, Pika, Invideo AI, and Adobe Sensei.
AI can automate many tasks, but creative vision and storytelling still require human involvement.
Sort of, but it depends on what you’re editing. AI tools can auto‑detect scenes, remove filler words, stabilize shaky footage, and generate transcripts or captions. That means you can skip tedious work and focus on story decisions instead.
AI can struggle with complex scenes, low‑quality footage, or nuanced storytelling. It may misinterpret cultural or creative context.
Yes. You should be aware of copyright issues, as many tools train on existing media without properly citing the source. Deepfake misuse and privacy violations are real concerns. Transparency and getting permission (when needed) are crucial.
