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AI Video Generation

How to Create AI Videos: Generators, Avatars and Editing

Understand the three main types of AI video tools and follow a practical workflow from script to finished video.

By AI Resource Hub Editorial TeamUpdated 2 min read
On this page
  1. The three types of AI video tools
  2. A practical workflow
  3. 1. Start with a script
  4. 2. Decide how the video will be presented
  5. 3. Create or gather visuals
  6. 4. Edit it together
  7. 5. Add captions and check accessibility
  8. 6. Review before publishing
  9. Budgeting tips
  10. Ethics and consent
  11. Next steps

"AI video" covers three quite different kinds of tools. Knowing which one you need saves time and money.

The three types of AI video tools

TypeWhat it doesExamplesGood for
Generative videoCreates new footage from text or imagesRunwayB-roll, concept clips, visual effects
Avatar videoA digital presenter reads your scriptSynthesia, HeyGenTraining, explainers, translation
AI-assisted editingSpeeds up editing real footageDescriptPodcasts, YouTube, tutorials

A practical workflow

1. Start with a script

Every good video starts with a clear script. Use an assistant to help structure it (see our YouTube script prompt), but include your own examples and knowledge. Read it aloud and cut anything you wouldn't naturally say.

2. Decide how the video will be presented

  • On camera yourself: record with your phone and edit in a tool like Descript.
  • Voiceover with visuals: record your voice or use text-to-speech (for example ElevenLabs), then add screen recordings, images or generated clips.
  • Avatar presenter: paste the script into Synthesia or HeyGen.

3. Create or gather visuals

Generative tools produce short clips – seconds, not minutes – so plan your video as a series of shots. Describe each shot like a film director: subject, action, camera movement, lighting and style. Expect to generate several versions of each shot.

4. Edit it together

Combine clips, voice, music and captions in an editor. Transcript-based editing (in Descript, for example) lets you delete words from the transcript to cut them from the video, and remove filler words automatically.

5. Add captions and check accessibility

Most viewers watch on mobile, often without sound. Add accurate captions and check that auto-generated ones spell names and technical terms correctly.

6. Review before publishing

  • Is everything factually correct?
  • Do you have the rights to all music, images and voices?
  • Have you disclosed AI-generated or altered content where the platform requires it?

Budgeting tips

Most AI video tools use credits or minutes. Before paying, use the free plan to estimate how many credits one finished minute of video actually takes you – usually more than you expect because of retries.

Never create avatars or voice clones of people without their explicit permission. Don't make realistic videos of real people saying things they didn't say.

Next steps

See our comparison of the best AI video generators and Synthesia vs HeyGen.

Frequently asked questions

Can AI make a full-length video from a prompt?

Not reliably. Generative tools produce short clips that you combine and edit into a longer video.

Do I have to disclose AI-generated video?

Major platforms require disclosure for realistic AI-generated or altered content in many situations. Check each platform's rules.

AI Resource Hub Editorial Team

Our editors research AI tools using official documentation and reliable reporting, and update guides when products change. Read our editorial policy to see how we work. Editorial policy.

Tools in this guide

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