AI
AI video creation has come a long way. What once was fairly niche has become an everyday tool for marketers, educators, and creators worldwide. From product demos to short explainers to social media clips, virtually anyone can create a video without the need for advanced editing skills, provided they have the right AI tools.
In this article, we’ll break down how to make an AI video and look at the top tools in 2025, including Renderforest, Synthesia, and HayGen. We’ll cover practical tips for creating videos for platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, and provide a comprehensive guide so you know how to make a video with AI, edit it, fine-tune animations, and even add in AI-generated voiceovers.
What is an AI-generated video?
An AI-generated video is any type of video created with the help of generative AI platforms. These typically work with as little as a prompt, script, or even an image that can give it some form of guidance. In just minutes, an AI can generate a full video complete with scenes, voiceovers, and transitions.
Typically, AI generation platforms employ:
- Natural language processing to turn text prompts into scripts and scenes.
- Computer vision to help understand and generate images and animations.
- Machine learning models to analyze inputs, styles, music, or edit requests.
The result is a video that looks professional without requiring advanced editing skills.
Simply put, learning how to make an AI-generated video doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge. You can focus more on your message and less on the editing.
How to make an AI-generated video
Making an AI-video, as the claim goes, is simple. Most platforms will guide you through the workflow and help you fill in the blanks where you stumble. Each platform will vary in its approach to these tasks, but these are the common steps.
1. Start with your idea or a script
Begin by clarifying what you want your video to achieve. Is it a quick TikTok, a YouTube tutorial, or a product demo? You can write your own script or use built-in AI assistants to help refine your wording. Some platforms even let you type a simple prompt like “30-second video about healthy breakfast ideas,” and they’ll generate a draft for you.
2. Choose your format and style
AI tools offer a wide range of templates, from animated explainers to live-action stock media and even avatar-driven presentations. Picking the right platform depends on your goal. An AI cartoon generator might be perfect for education or storytelling, while a sleek corporate template works better for training or marketing videos.
3. Customize and edit details
Once you’ve selected a base, you can adjust fonts, colors, backgrounds, and music to match your brand. Many platforms now integrate editors, so you can auto-add subtitles, change voiceovers, or let the system suggest transitions and cuts.
4. Generate, review, and refine
After customizing, click generate. The platform will build your video in minutes. You can preview it, regenerate specific sections, or open the video in a full editor for advanced tweaks. This stage is where you polish — whether that means trimming clips, adjusting audio, or testing different formats for social platforms.
5. Finalize and export
Finally, download your video in the resolution you need (try to keep this at 720p or 1080p in most cases, or download the highest and downscale) or share directly to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.
3 top AI video generators of 2025
There are dozens of AI tools on the market, but a few stand out for their reliability, flexibility, and ease of use. Here are three popular generators for 2025:
Renderforest
Renderforest is an all-in-one platform that combines video generation, editing, and branding tools. It’s especially useful if you want to move from a text idea to a polished video without switching between different apps. It brings together multiple creation options in one place, from templates and stock footage to AI images and generative animations, making it flexible for different needs. The platform also includes an editor, allowing you to tweak transitions, add voiceovers, and make fine adjustments after your video is generated.
Pricing: Renderforest offers a free plan with limited exports and branding. Paid plans start around $14.99/month, with higher tiers unlocking HD exports, unlimited stock assets, and full AI editing features.
Synthesia
Synthesia is best known for its AI avatars and multilingual voiceovers. It’s widely used for training videos, tutorials, and corporate communication because you can generate realistic “talking head” presenters without hiring actors or recording voiceovers.
Pricing: Plans start at $29/month, making it affordable for individuals or small teams. Enterprise packages include more avatars, advanced voice cloning, and priority support.
HeyGen
HeyGen (formerly Movio) focuses on video presentations and marketing content. Like Synthesia, it offers lifelike avatars and AI voiceovers, but it also integrates personalization features, allowing businesses to tailor videos for different audiences or campaigns at scale.
Pricing: HeyGen starts at $29/month, with credits-based pricing for video minutes. Business plans provide bulk exports and API access for larger teams.
How to make AI videos with Renderforest
For the rest of this guide, we’ll focus on how to use Renderforest as it stands out for its relative balance between automation and creative control. It caters to beginners so they can quickly generate videos while also giving more advanced users options for extensive customization.
Step 1: Input idea & choose style
Start by entering your script, concept, or a text prompt. If you’re not sure what to create, Renderforest has an “Inspire Me” option that generates random ideas to get you started. You can also use “Enhance Script” to refine your draft into something more engaging.
Once you have your idea, pick a video style. Renderforest offers several options, including:
- Templates: professionally designed layouts for fast, polished videos without advanced editing
- Stock media: footage and imagery for corporate or lifestyle videos
- Generative AI visuals: unique imagery created for your project
- AI image uploads: use your own visuals to keep brand consistency
Step 2: Customize & generate
Next, choose your video type and adjust the settings.
- Language and voice: Select from dozens of voiceover languages and tones, or generate an AI narration.
- Format and screen ratio: Pick landscape, vertical, or square video formats depending on which platform you want to publish on.
- Style controls: Decide whether you want a formal, playful, or cinematic look. You can let the AI decide, or fine-tune it yourself.
Once ready, click “Generate.” Renderforest assembles the scenes, images, transitions, and voiceovers in just a few minutes.
Step 3: Download & finalize
After previewing, you can download your video in 720p for free or export in higher resolutions with a paid plan. If you want more control, open the video in Renderforest’s AI video editor. There, you can edit text, colors, and fonts, swap out clips or regenerate individual sections, add background music or sound effects, adjust transitions, and try different AI voiceovers.
Once satisfied, export the final version and share it directly to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, or simply download it and use it however you wish.
How to make AI videos for YouTube
YouTube remains the go-to platform for long-form content and tutorials. AI tools make it easier than ever to produce professional-quality videos without expensive equipment or editing software.
Focus on longer, structured content
Unlike TikTok and Instagram, YouTube rewards depth. Scripts can range from 3 to 10 minutes, or even longer. Use AI assistants to outline your topic and expand key points. For example, if you’re creating a product tutorial, AI can suggest step-by-step explanations and even generate visuals and text to match.
Choose the right format
Most YouTube videos are in landscape format, though YouTube Shorts support vertical videos. When making a video with AI, set your preferred format before exporting.
Add branding elements
Consistent intros, outros, and logos build recognition on YouTube. Renderforest includes templates that let you insert your brand kit, making your videos look cohesive.
Enhance with captions and SEO
YouTube uses transcripts to understand content. Generate accurate subtitles, then optimize your title and description with phrases like “how to make a latte” or “latte tutorial” to improve discoverability.
Polish with editing features
For YouTube, pacing matters. Cut filler sections, add transitions, and mix in stock clips to keep viewers engaged. Renderforest and similar tools let you refine each section until it matches your style.
How to make AI videos for TikTok
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing platforms for short-form video, and an AI TikTok video generator makes it much easier to keep up with the demand for fresh content. Here are some come tips and best practices to create TikTok-ready videos:
Keep it short and snappy
TikTok favors videos between 10 and 30 seconds. When writing your script or prompt, focus on one clear idea, whether it’s a quick tip, a product showcase, or a funny moment.
Use the right format
Always choose a vertical (9:16) format when generating your video. Most AI tools let you set this before creating content.
Add captions and text overlays
Many people watch TikToks without sound. Use their built-in editors to auto-generate captions or add bold text overlays that highlight your message.
Lean on visuals and effects
TikTok audiences respond to eye-catching visuals. Try animated templates, different styles, or generative AI images to make your video stand out.
Optimize for engagement
End with a call to action like “Follow for more” or “Link in bio.” TikTok’s AI can help suggest on-screen CTAs and transitions that feel natural within TikTok’s fast-moving style.
How to make AI videos for Instagram
Instagram is highly visual and works best with polished, scroll-stopping content. If you’re posting Stories, Reels, or feed videos, AI tools can help you create content that fits right into the platform’s style.
Match the format to the feature
- Reels: Vertical (9:16), up to 90 seconds. Great for quick, high-energy clips.
- Stories: Vertical, usually 15 seconds each. Use AI to break longer videos into segments.
- Feed videos: Square (1:1) or vertical formats work best for engagement.
Keep it visually striking
Instagram is all about aesthetics. Use AI-generated backgrounds, or stock media to make your video stand out in the feed. Bold colors, clean typography, and smooth transitions work especially well here.
Add subtitles and on-screen text
Since many viewers watch without sound, captions are key. An AI editor can auto-generate these for you, ensuring accessibility and clarity.
Optimize for mobile viewing
Choose close-up visuals, minimal text, and strong contrast. AI platforms like Renderforest make it easy to preview how your video will look on mobile screens before publishing.
Encourage interaction
For Stories and Reels, include clear calls to action: “Swipe up,” “Comment below,” or “Tap to shop.” AI can suggest CTA placements and even auto-generate transitions that guide users to take action.
Tips for effective AI-generated video creation
AI makes video production faster, but the results depend on how you use it. Keep these tips in mind when creating your next project:
- Start with a clear goal: Define whether your video is for marketing, education, or entertainment so the tool can make it in the right style.
- Write concise scripts: Keep your script short and audience-focused; AI can refine it, but clarity starts with you.
- Match format to platform: Use vertical for TikTok and Instagram, landscape for YouTube, and square for feed posts.
- Customize beyond templates: Add brand colors, fonts, and logos, or experiment with stock media.
- Add captions and voiceovers: Use AI to auto-generate subtitles and narration for accessibility and SEO.
- Keep it dynamic: Short, engaging videos with fast pacing perform best, especially on social platforms.
- Test and refine: Regenerate or edit individual scenes until your video looks polished and on-brand.
So, should you create videos with AI?
AI has changed the way we think about video creation. Instead of complex editing software or expensive production, you can now take an idea, refine it with a script, and quickly turn it into a polished video.
Renderforest and other tools like it each bring their own strengths to the table, but what matters most is how you use them. By starting with a clear goal, customizing your content, and refining it with editors, you can make AI-generated videos that are not only efficient but also engaging and authentic.
If you’ve been wondering how to make a video with AI, the process is no longer out of reach. With the workflows and tips we’ve covered, you have everything you need to create videos that connect with your audience, without needing to master traditional editing from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making AI Videos
How do I make an AI video?
You can make an AI video by entering a script or prompt into an AI video tool. The tool will create visuals, transitions, and even voiceovers automatically. You can then refine the video with a video editor before exporting.
Which AI video creator is free?
Several platforms, including Renderforest, offer free plans with limited exports or watermarked videos. These are great for testing before upgrading to a paid plan for higher resolution and advanced features.
Can I create an AI video of myself?
Yes. Many tools allow you to create a digital avatar or upload your own images and recordings. With features like AI avatars and voice cloning, you can generate a video that looks and sounds like you.
Can ChatGPT make videos?
ChatGPT itself does not create videos, but it can help you write scripts, generate prompts, and plan content. You can then take those ideas into an AI video generator like Renderforest to turn them into finished videos.
