A Beginner’s Guide to Using AI for YouTube Video Editing in 2025

Why AI-Powered Video Editing is Taking Over

Picture this: years ago, I would stay up until 3 AM, bleary-eyed, cutting and stitching clips together, surrounded by empty coffee cups to meet a deadline. Today, it feels like I have a team of tireless robot assistants doing half the work for me!

AI video editing is like having an ultra-smart assistant that analyses footage using machine learning algorithms to detect what's happening in each frame and suggests edits based on that information. The result? More time for creativity and less time spent on mundane tasks.

Take this example: I recently had to cut a two-hour conference into a five-minute highlight reel. Normally, it would take days of manually picking out key moments. With AI, I uploaded the footage, and the software identified the most engaging clips, major speakers, and key audience reactions, saving me countless hours!

Top AI Video Editing Tools for Beginners

Not tech-savvy? No problem! These AI-powered tools are intuitive and accessible to everyone.

1. Runway ML: A versatile tool with features like style transfer and automatic background removal.

2. Descript: Want to edit a video like you edit text? Descript makes it possible. Just delete a sentence in the transcript, and the corresponding video segment disappears.

3. Adobe Premiere Pro + Sensei: If you're familiar with Premiere, its AI capabilities will feel like superpowers. Features like auto-reframe, colour matching, and audio ducking simplify tasks with just a few clicks.

Pro tip: Start with free trials to find the tool that fits your needs best.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Adobe Premiere Pro + Sensei

Let’s walk through a recent project I completed for a local bakery using Adobe Premiere Pro and its AI capabilities.

Step 1: Organizing and Importing

1. Open Premiere Pro and start a new project.

2. Import your footage (File > Import or Ctrl+I).

3. Create a “Bakery Shots” folder in the Project panel.

4. Use the “Search Bin” tool to organize clips automatically. Type in keywords like “pastry,” “customer,” or “baking” and let Sensei categorize your clips.

Pro tip: Make sure “Enable clip analysis” is checked when importing footage. This allows Sensei to analyse features like face recognition and speech-to-text.

Step 2: Creating a Rough Cut with AI

1. Drag and drop clips into your timeline.

2. Go to the “Edit” menu and select “Auto Reframe Sequence.”

3. Choose your desired aspect ratio (16:9 for Instagram Stories, 9:16 for YouTube, etc.).

4. Watch as Sensei automatically reframes your video, keeping key subjects in focus.

Step 3: Applying AI-Powered Effects

1. Select all clips in the timeline for colour correction.

2. In the Lumetri Colour panel, click “Auto” under Basic Correction, and Sensei will adjust the colours.

3. Add transitions by searching for “Morph Cut” in the Effects panel. This seamless transition works wonders for interviews by blending jump cuts.

Step 4: Fine-Tuning Your Edit

1. Review the rough cut and adjust clips in the timeline as needed.

2. Use the “Rate Stretch” tool to modify the timing and speed of your clips.

3. Apply “Auto Ducking” in the Essential Sound panel, which uses AI to lower music when dialogue is detected.

Pro tip: Use Adobe Stock’s AI-powered search to find music that matches the mood of your project.

Step 5: AI-Powered Final Touches

1. Use “Content-Aware Fill” to remove unwanted objects from your footage, just like Photoshop, but for video.

2. Grade the colour of your entire sequence with the “Auto Tone” feature in Lumetri.

3. Auto-generate captions with the “Speech to Text” feature for any interview segments.

The result? A mouth watering video that had the bakery owner offering me croissants for life!

Maximizing AI in Your Video Editing Process

1. Quality matters: AI isn’t magic—if your footage is poor, even AI can’t save it. Start with good source material for the best results.

2. Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new things. I once applied an AI “vintage film” look to a modern corporate video, and the client loved it so much, it became part of their branding!

3. Remember, AI is a tool, not a replacement: Let AI handle the ground work, but infuse your creativity into the final product. Your vision is what will set your videos apart.

The Future of AI in Video Editing

The future of AI in video editing is incredibly exciting. Imagine virtual actors, scenes created from text descriptions, or even AI assistants that replicate your unique editing style. Soon, you might be able to change the weather in your footage with just one click!

Final Thoughts

And... cut! 🎥 You now have the roadmap to explore the world of AI-powered video editing. With AI tools, you can move beyond time-consuming tasks and focus on what truly matters—your creativity.

After years in the industry, I can honestly say that AI has reignited my passion for video editing. The tedious aspects are gone, and now I can devote more time to storytelling. And the best part? It’s only going to get better from here.

So go ahead, experiment with AI, and most importantly, have fun! With these AI superpowers in your toolkit, your next viral video could be just one click away. Are you ready to elevate your video editing game? The future of content creation is AI. 🎬