AI vs. Humans - Will AI Replace Human Video Editors?

Introduction to AI in Video Editing

After reading this article. You will understand the benefits & drawbacks of AI in video editing.

Yes, AI is all over the news these days. And I hear so many people saying, “The question isn’t if, but when AI will take over video editing.”

On the flip side, if you’re a producer, you’re probably want to know how AI can streamline can cut down your costs.

Truth is, AI is still evolving, nobody can predict exactly where this tech will take us.

What we can do right now. Is look at what AI video editing tools are offer and compare that to the magic human editors bring to the table.

So, if you’re ready to dive into the debate of AI vs. human editors and find out who—or what—comes out on top, keep reading!

What is AI Video Editing Software?

In its essence, Ive found that AI video editing software is automating many of the tasks that have been done manually.

By simplifying everything from scene detection to audio syncing, it can also help you organize the material you shot.

Benefits of AI

Video creation system with AI to organise and remove time consuming tasks

Here are a few examples:

Footage Analysis: Identifies key elements like faces, objects, and actions.
Scene Detection: Detects and organizes scenes for easier narrative assembly.
Editing Suggestions: Recommends cuts, pacing, and graphics to match the desired style.
Automated Trimming: Removes unnecessary parts and synchronizes cuts to audio tracks.
Effects Application: Applies color correction, stabilization, and other enhancements.
Transitions and Music Syncing: Adds transitions and syncs music to video pace.
Template Editing: For quick editing an rough cuts.
Export Optimization: Adjusts settings for optimal playback on various platforms.

Short Form Videos

So as you can see in the bulletpoint above. Many of the features has to do with streamlining and automatization.

Now, for somebody making short form content for social media platforms. This might be all they need.

And if that’s the case, great! You can have a large part of your production streamlined.

Long Form

But if you want to make longer narrative movies, or even youtube videos.

There’s a lot more work needed!

AI’s limitations have to do with interpreting the nuanced, creative aspects.

While AI can identify the “best” moments in a clip based on certain criteria. It often misses the subtle emotional cues that a human would notice.

Filmmaking and storytelling is about expressing one’s inner thoughts and life experiences. And with filmmaking, “The Devil is in The Details.”

And you definitely don’t want an AI to decide the details for you. Because your expression!

Sometimes your choices won’t be “correct”. Some filmmakers choose a style that goes against the rules.

So if you want to have a unique style, which you should. At least if you want to find an audience.. AI might have a hard time making the choices your story needs.

Now, let’s have a look at what a human editor brings to the table…

The Power of Human Editors

Video editor with a creative vision in the studio.

Collaboration

Anyone who has worked in the film industry knows: it’s a collaborative artform.

You are telling a story together with a group of people.

Now you might say; “Simon I know one guy who made an animated film all by himself.”

And sure that’s true, but I’m referring to the vast majority of films that are reaching a larger audience.

While solo filmmaking might be possible, it’s usually a last resort due to lack of budget.

So my point is, a filmmaker, in this case a video editor, is a person who knows how to collaborate.

AI can’t communicate with the entire team, be diplomatic, flexible, and thoughtful.

Master Storytellers

Furthermore, editors need to be master storytellers.

Heck, I know editors who can look at raw material and completely transform the narrative from their gut. They basically see possibilities that simply didn’t exist before.

This can make or break a film idea.

Let’s break this down:

Master Storytellers

Furthermore, editors need to be master storytellers.

Heck, I know editors who can look at raw material and completely transform the narrative from their gut. They basically see possibilities that simply didn’t exist before.

This can make or break a film idea.

Emotion Experts

Human editors are like feeling detectives.

They can watch a scene and get what’s going on emotionally.

Is the character sad? Or confused?

They also need to have an intuition for where the audience might be, at a certain point of a story.

What cues are they supposed to pickup on? What should be in focus in order for that information to go through? When is it over-communicated?

Editors know exactly how to cut the footage to present feelings and information the right way for the story to work.

For example, in a sad scene, a human editor might use longer, slower cuts to make you feel the weight of the moment. Or in an action scene, they might use quick, punchy cuts to get your heart racing. AI can follow rules, but it can’t feel the scene based on the characters emotions like humans do.

Taste

Editors have this amazing ability to know what looks good and works. It’s like they have a built-in quality radar.

They can take a bunch of random shots and turn them into something that makes you go “Wow!”. And you wont always understand why, it just has an impact on you like a great piece of music.

Think about music videos.

The way they match the beats to the visuals? That’s all thanks to human editors who understand rhythm and style in a way AI just can’t…

Timing

Imagine your favorite movie twist.

The editor knew exactly when to reveal that shocking information to blow your mind.

AI might be able to follow a script, but coming up with those “aha!” moments? That’s human creativity.

Cultural Know-How

Humans get jokes, references, and cultural stuff that flies right over AI’s head. An editor working on a comedy knows when a joke needs a quick cut for the best laugh. They understand timing in a way that’s super hard to program.

Honestly, not even a comedian could explain humor in words and systems. Thats is intuition coming from practical experience from standing on the stage.

Plus, editors know what might offend people or what might be too much for kids to see.

So they make smart choices based on who’s going to watch the video.

The Human Touch

The main takeaway is:

Human editors bring their own experiences to the story.

They’ve lived, they’ve felt things, and they use all of that when they’re telling the story.

AI can do a lot of cool things, but it can’t draw on a lifetime of human experiences. It can’t remember how it felt to fall in love or lose a pet or ace a test. Human editors use all those real-life feelings to make videos that connect with us on a deep level.

Next time you’re watching your favorite show or movie, remember: there’s a human editor behind the scenes.

Who is making magic happen. They’re the ones turning a bunch of footage into a story that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

I would even argue that editors have more control over a story than screenwriters or film directors. Its no surprise that many directors choose to edit their films.

So am I saying AI is worthless compared to human editors?

Areas where AI is valuable:

Artificial intelligence in video editing. Ai assisting a human video editor. Firefly image generated by the author.

Like mentioned in the beginning of this article.

An automatic video editor can simplify and speed up the editing process a lot.

AI algorithms can analyze and manipulate video content to:

Enhance video quality, including noise reduction, sharpening, and color correction.

But one aspect of editing that is easily forgotten has to do with organizing the footage.

This is especially true for feature filmmakers or anyone working with a lot of material.

If you go wrong at this stage you can end up in a real mess with your project.

Trust me, its happened to me several times.

AI as the organizer

In traditional editing, an editor might spend hours sifting through raw video clips to find the best takes.

I´ve probably spent hundreds of hours going through footage!

So Im really happy for any help I can get in this area. It means I can spend more time shaping the story!

For instance, AI can automatically detect and flag clips that are out of focus, poorly lit, or have other quality issues. Saving editors a lot of time that would otherwise be spent reviewing each clip manually.

Or you could use AI to group shots together based on location. Then by: closeup, medium wide and wide angle shots. Depending on how you like to organize your footage.

This automated analysis helps ensure that only the best shots make it into the final cut, resulting in a more polished product.

Some AI tools can even recommend alternate shots when they detect a flaw in the footage. Giving editors a head start on the editing process.

Rough Cuts

Based on this analysis, AI can then create a rough cut that arranges these clips in a logical sequence.

Imagine you’ve shot an hour-long interview with multiple camera angles. AI can automatically identify the speaker and highlight potential key moments.

It can then create a sequence using a certain criteria of shots. So the editor can jump straight into refining this sequence. Rather than building it from scratch.

Improved Video Quality

“We fix that in post” Is something I heard on many amature film sets. Which is never a good idea, because:

“Garbage in – garbage out!”

But lets say you didn’t have any choice.

You shot a film in less-than-ideal conditions—grainy footage, poor lighting, and color imbalances.

AI video editing software can analyze these issues and correct them, giving you a cleaner, sharper image.

Additionally, AI can enhance the resolution of your footage. Ensuring that every frame is as crisp and clear as possible.

This might save your entire project!

Automation

Some tools like Opus Clip can auto-generate subtitles and captions. Which saves so much time for marketing material!

Other tools can analyze the speech to text.

And break down the content into digestible segments. Making it easier for editors to locate and rearrange parts of the video.

This can be done with:

Adobe Premiere Pro’s AI feature, Adobe Sensei. It can identify scenes, create a rough cut, and even suggest edits based on the flow of the footage. Let’s say you’re editing a sports highlight reel. Adobe Sensei can scan the entire footage. Pick out the most exciting moments and compile them into a sequence.

Generative AI Features

Need to extend a clip or make a a closeup into a medium wide?

Generative AI can add frames and make this possible.

Want to create an entirely new video from scratch? This technology can analyze your existing footage and generate new clips that fit perfectly.

Basically, it expands your creative possibilities in post-production. So you might not have to go back an re-shoot or film as much cover footage.

The Future of Video Editors: AI vs. Human Video Editing

AI-powered video editing software will continue to evolve and improve.

Video editors will need to adapt to new technologies and workflows.

But Im very convinced that human creativity and storytelling will remain essential in videos.

Especially in films with artistic expression.

If there’s a section of the industry that AI will take over. I believe that’s within the shortform content, especially for low-budget social media videos.

You can read my article: “10 Ways AI is Revolutionizing Independent Filmmaking & Best Tools to Use” to learn how AI is used in other parts

Overcoming Challenges in AI-Driven Video Editing

I see the main challenge being to keep quality and uniqueness when using AI.

Its very easy to become lazy and start taking shortcuts to produce more material in a faster pace.

If you loose your personal touch, your audience will loose interest over time.

In the end, people relate to people.

Conclusion

Human editors are necessary for artistic expression.
Currently, the impact of AI on video editing is mainly for automating repetitive tasks.
AI can offer improved video quality, simplify editing, and expand creative options.
AI algorithms can analyze and categorize the footage for you.

AI vs. Humans – Will AI Replace Human Video Editors?