To make short videos with AI, use a chatbot such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to write a 30- to 45-second script with a strong first line, record or generate your visuals, then let a free editor like CapCut, Instagram’s Edits app or YouTube’s built-in Shorts tools add automatic captions, cuts and music. Export in vertical 9:16 format (1080 by 1920 pixels) and label anything realistic that AI generated. AI saves the most time on scripting, captions and editing; your own idea, voice and face are still what make people stop scrolling. This guide gives you a step-by-step workflow, a script prompt to copy and the rules to follow on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
What can AI do for a short video?
| Step | How AI helps | Example tools |
|---|---|---|
| Ideas and hooks | Suggests topics, angles and opening lines | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini |
| Script | Writes a tight 30- to 60-second script | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini |
| Visuals | Generates images, b-roll or short clips; animates photos | YouTube Shorts AI tools, image generators |
| Voice | Text-to-speech voiceovers | CapCut, other text-to-speech tools |
| Captions | Automatic subtitles you can edit | CapCut, Edits, YouTube, TikTok |
| Editing | Removes silences, suggests cuts, resizes to vertical | CapCut, Edits, Descript |
| Repurposing | Finds clips in a long video or turns a blog post into a script | Chatbots, clipping tools |
How do you make a short video with AI, step by step?
- Pick one idea. A short video should make one point: one tip, one answer or one before-and-after. Ask a chatbot for ten ideas in your niche, then choose the one you can explain best.
- Write the hook first. The first two seconds decide whether people keep watching. Ask the AI for five hook options and pick the clearest, not the most dramatic.
- Write a 30- to 45-second script. That is roughly 75 to 110 spoken words. Read it out loud and cut anything that does not move the point forward.
- Get your visuals. Filming yourself or your screen still performs well. Fill gaps with your own photos, stock clips or AI-generated b-roll.
- Add your voice. Record it yourself if you can; it builds trust. Use an AI voice only for faceless formats and choose one that sounds natural.
- Edit with AI help. Import everything into an editor, use auto captions, remove silences and keep each shot short. Check every caption for errors.
- Export and post. Use 9:16 vertical at 1080 by 1920 pixels, add a short description, and label realistic AI content when the platform asks.
A script prompt you can copy
Write a script for a 40-second vertical video for [TikTok/Reels/Shorts].
Topic: [your topic]
Audience: [who it is for]
Goal: [teach one tip / answer one question / show a result]
Rules:
- Start with a hook of under 10 words that names the problem.
- Use short, spoken sentences. No jargon.
- Give 3 quick steps or points.
- End with one clear call to action.
- Add [B-ROLL: ...] notes for what should be on screen.
- Keep it under 110 words.
Give me 3 different hook options at the top.Then reply with “make it more casual,” “shorter” or “more specific to beginners” until it sounds like you. For more techniques, read how to write better AI prompts.
Three AI workflows that work
1. The talking-head tip
AI writes the script, you film yourself on your phone, and the editor adds captions and cuts. This is the most authentic format and usually the easiest to grow with, because viewers connect with a real person.
2. The faceless explainer
AI writes the script, you record a voiceover (or use a natural text-to-speech voice) and combine screen recordings, photos and b-roll. It works well for tech tips, tutorials and lists. Make sure every video adds something of your own, such as a real demo or your opinion.
3. Repurposing
Turn a blog post, podcast or long YouTube video into several shorts. Paste the text into a chatbot and ask for three 40-second scripts, or use a clipping tool to find the strongest moments. Our guide on repurposing a blog post with AI shows the full process.
Free AI video tools to start with
- CapCut: a popular free editor on phone, desktop and web with auto captions, text-to-speech, background removal and templates. Some advanced features require a paid plan.
- Edits by Instagram: Meta’s free video editing app for iPhone and Android, built for Reels, with editing tools and creator insights. Meta has been adding AI features to it in 2026.
- YouTube Shorts camera: YouTube has added generative AI tools to Shorts, including turning a photo into a short video clip and AI effects, powered by Google’s Veo models. Availability varies by country; YouTube says these creations carry SynthID watermarks and labels.
- Canva: good for text-based shorts, quote videos and branded templates in vertical format.
- AI image generators: for thumbnails, backgrounds and visual ideas. Compare options in our list of the best AI image generators.
Features and free limits change often, so check each app before you build your workflow around it.
Rules you need to follow
- Label realistic AI content. YouTube requires creators to disclose realistic altered or synthetic content, and TikTok and Instagram label AI-generated media. Learn when and how in our guide on how to label AI content on social media.
- Do not copy voices or faces without consent. Cloning a real person’s voice or likeness without permission can break platform rules and the law.
- Avoid mass-produced videos. YouTube’s monetization rules exclude repetitive, mass-produced content, and low-effort AI videos rarely build an audience anyway.
- Use licensed music. Pick sounds from the platform’s library or a royalty-free source.
Common mistakes
- A slow start: greetings and logos in the first seconds lose viewers. Open with the problem or the result.
- Robotic voiceovers: flat AI voices make people swipe away. Your own voice usually performs better.
- Unchecked captions: auto captions misspell names and technical terms. Proofread them.
- Too much on screen: keep captions to a few words at a time and inside the safe area, away from the app’s buttons.
- Wrong size: horizontal videos look tiny in a vertical feed. See our guide to social media sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make short videos with AI for free?
Yes. Free plans of ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini can write scripts, and free editors like CapCut, Edits and YouTube’s Shorts tools handle captions and editing. Paid plans add more features and fewer limits.
Can AI make the whole video for me?
Some tools can generate a full video from text, but fully generated videos often look generic. Using AI for the script, captions and editing while you supply the idea and voice usually works better.
Do AI videos get less reach?
Using AI is not a problem in itself. What hurts reach is what viewers dislike: weak hooks, generic visuals and repetitive videos. Those perform poorly whether or not AI made them.
How long should a short video be?
Most tips work best in 20 to 45 seconds. Shorter is better when the idea is simple; go longer only when every second earns its place.
Start with one video this week
Pick a question your audience asks, let AI draft the script and captions, and add your own voice and examples. Post, see what keeps people watching, and adjust the next one. To plan a full month of posts, read how to plan social media content with AI, and for the text under each video, see our guide to AI social media captions.
Sources
- YouTube Help: Disclosing use of altered or synthetic content
- TechCrunch: YouTube Shorts is adding an image-to-video AI tool and new AI effects
- ETV Bharat: Meta Edits app to receive AI assistant and new creator tools
This article is based on the official documentation and reporting listed in the sources above, checked on October 24, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the official pages before you buy. ShokokoTech does not accept payment for coverage. Read our editorial policy.
