Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how content creators make videos and podcasts. While launching a YouTube channel is as easy as turning on the front-facing camera on your phone, those looking for an edge are turning to AI for everything from script development to voiceovers, thumbnails and editing.
Here are some free and subscription-based AI apps that content creators are using for YouTube videos.
Table of Contents
ToggleScripts
Some people are natural born speakers, and others need some kind of script or teleprompter to catch up. These generative AI tools help vloggers reach that starting point with ease.
Generative AI refers to tools that use prompts to generate text, images, music, and videos based on user input.
There are a growing number of large language model AI tools on the market, but none have dominated the conversation around generative AI like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The current version of ChatGPT, GPT-3.5, is free to use with an account, but for additional features, like a plugin for creating Canva thumbnails, there is a $20/month subscription to ChatGPT Plus.
Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI, thanks to which ChatGPIT is the native AI for Microsoft's Bing browser, which means you can use ChatGPIT without an OpenAI account. Simply enter a query about what the script should include—for example, the title of the show and the subject of the episode—and ChatGPT will create a script based on those queries.
In some cases, the response includes cut scenes and narrative switches. The more detailed the AI, the better the script.
For those who don't want to use ChatGPT, Claude AI by Anthropic is another great chatbot and perplexity AI for this.
So now that you have your script, you need an easy way to read it, especially if you're on camera.
recording
BigVu is a scripting platform that allows users to upload scripts that can be read on a phone, tablet or computer screen. BigVu can be useful for YouTubers just starting out and using their phones to record.
BigVu includes an AI authoring tool that can rewrite the content uploaded to the platform, including writing a persuasive, neutral, friendly or professional tone based on user requests and preferences.
While BigVu's launch plan is limited, it includes several features that YouTube might find useful, including 9 minutes of recording time in HD, word trimming, the ability to share the video on social media, and connectivity to up to two mobile devices. For additional features, BigVu offers tiers for individuals and groups ranging from $99 to $399 per year if you sign up for an annual subscription.
Thumbnails
The most popular AI models today are image generators such as Dall-E from OpenAI and Midjourney. Canva, a beginner-friendly platform, recently had a major update to include a new Magic Studio design suite. Magic Studio uses OpenAI's Dall-E in its image generator and Runway in its video creator. The best part about Magic Studio is that it is included in the free subscription level of Kava.
Thanks to the integration of Microsoft's OpenAI tools, users can create thumbnails using Bing's AI. Designing images for thumbnails can be done by opening the Bing chatbot in the Edge browser and typing in the type of image you want to create.
Due to violent actors online using AI image generators to create inappropriate images of world leaders, celebrities and events such as the 9/11 attacks, companies are exploring the types of interest their models can use. Attempting to override these controls may result in suspension of the user's account.
Titles and SEO
VidIQ and Tubebuddy are two companies YouTubers turn to for creating video titles. Both platforms connect directly to a user's account and offer more robust features with paid subscriptions. While Tubebuddy offers a simple interface on YouTube's side panel, VDIQ gains an edge with a suite of tools available in its free tier, including an AI trainer powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT that answers questions, audits a user's channel, and explains how. They are doing it.
While vidIQ's free tier has many features that YouTubers can enjoy, vidIQ shines with paid tiers starting at $10 per month. Other AI features include a channel name and episode title generator, video ideas, and a script and description generator.
Correction
Editing software is typically a matter of personal preference and what device you're working on—for example, iMovie for iOS. Filmora is a popular freeware editing software that allows users to edit videos from their phone or desktop. However, the Fimora phone app does not currently allow editing audio clips.
Filmora edged out Adobe solutions due to its lower cost. A lifetime or “perpetual” plan is $80.00, and an annual plan is $49.99, though extras, like text-to-speech and effects, are extra.
Filmora Desktop Editor comes with several AI tools, including an AI image generator that uses different image styles like Van Gogh, CGI, Watercolor and Freestyle. Filmora's AI can be used to adjust the sound of a clip and improve the sound of the clip.
YouTube
YouTube's parent company Google, like Microsoft, has invested heavily in generative AI, including releasing chatbot Google Bard earlier this year and integrating AI with Google's suite of Office applications and the Vertex AI platform.
At its “Made on YouTube” event last month, Google announced five new AI tools coming to YouTube designed to streamline the content creation process, including “Dream Screen” for AI-enhanced backgrounds for YouTube Shorts, “Create YouTube” for mobile video editing, trend-based content recommendations, and more. AI Insights”, “Aloud” for multilingual transcription and “Helpful search in creative music” AI-driven soundtrack selection.
“While the opportunity for AI is exciting, we all need to keep an eye on the visual challenges,” said Google Cloud Next in San Francisco, which is why Google is committed to developing and deploying cloud technologies responsibly. – Driven by privacy, safety and security as goals and our long-standing AI principles.
