What are the best AI tools for video editing?

Question

Ugh so I promised my niece Id put together a little highlight reel for her graduation party next month but I honestly have no idea what Im doing. I tried using the basic windows editor thing but it keeps crashing and I feel like such an idiot trying to figure out how to cut clips and add music. Ive heard people talking about AI tools that can just like do the work for you or at least make it way easier? I dont really have much money to spend maybe 50 bucks max since this is just a one-off thing for family. I keep seeing ads for apps that edit for you but I cant tell which ones are actually legit and which ones are just scams trying to steal my data. Is there anything out there that is super simple and wont take me six months to learn? Im totally freaking out because the party is only four weeks away and I still have like 3 hours of raw phone footage that is a total mess. If you have any recommendations for someone who is basically tech illiterate that would be a life saver...

LeagueTwoGrinder · Accepted Answer

Honestly, if you want something that actually works without the bloat, try CyberLink PowerDirector 365 AI-Powered Editing. It has a super intuitive interface which is a lifesaver when youre pressed for time. Unfortunately, a lot of the cheaper apps are just data traps, so stay away from those sketchy sites. Just keep it simple and dont overthink the edits. Your niece is gonna love it regardless.

Harrisondus · Answer

Re: Honestly, dont panic. 3 hours is a lot... If you want a straightforward workflow, try Wondershare Filmora 13 4K Editing. It has decent AI auto-cut features that handle the heavy lifting for under 50 bucks on sale.

It handles high bitrate footage well

Uses AI masking to save you time

Much faster than standard Windows tools Basically, dont let the 3 hours of raw footage scare you. Just trim the fat first.

CarnabyCool · Answer

Honestly, dont panic. 3 hours is a lot but definitely manageable if you stay organized. I was in the same boat last year and honestly, most of those pop-up apps are just ad-heavy traps. Be super careful with anything that asks for a subscription right away. I suggest trying Adobe Premiere Elements 2024 because it has an automated mode that does the heavy lifting without being sketchy. It is a bit more robust than the free stuff, but it stays stable and wont crash on you like the Windows tool. Make sure to keep your raw footage on a reliable drive like a SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable SSD just in case things get messy. It takes a little effort to sort the clips first, but it saves your sanity later.