How to make a video with AI, no camera needed (UK guide)
You don't need a camera, a studio or the confidence to appear on screen to make a useful short video. AI tools can turn a written script into a video with a digital presenter, stock footage, a voiceover and subtitles. This guide is for small businesses, charities, clubs and anyone who needs a training, how-to or promo video – with free options first.
Last checked: . Prices and free allowances change often – check the provider's own site before paying.
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What AI video tools actually do
- AI presenters (avatars) – a realistic computer-generated person reads your script to camera. Good for staff training, volunteer inductions, explainers and “how to” videos.
- Text-to-video – you type an idea or paste a script, and the tool picks or creates video clips, adds music and a voice, and puts it together for you to tweak.
- Automatic subtitles – the tool listens to the speech and turns it into on-screen captions. Lots of people watch with the sound off, and captions help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- AI voiceovers – a natural-sounding voice reads your script, so you don't have to record yourself.
Some tools also turn a PowerPoint presentation into a narrated video – handy if you already have training slides.
Which tool? Free and cheap options first
- Canva – the free plan includes a drag-and-drop video editor and can generate captions automatically. At the time of checking (18 October 2026), Canva said free users can export videos without a watermark as long as they only use free elements – premium items are marked with a small crown. Canva
- CapCut – a popular video editor for phones, computers and the web, with a free plan for basic editing. Some AI features need the paid Pro plan, so check before you rely on one. CapCut
- Your phone – the photo or video app that came with your phone can usually trim clips and add text for free. A good place to start if you have your own photos or footage.
- InVideo AI – turns a text prompt into a finished video with stock footage, a voice and subtitles. At the time of checking, its pricing page listed paid plans (in US dollars) and we didn't see a free plan. InVideo
- Synthesia – a London-based company specialising in AI presenter videos, aimed at business training and explainers. At the time of checking (18 October 2026), Synthesia had a free Basic plan with 10 minutes of video a month, though free videos carry a Synthesia watermark, and you don't need a card to start. The paid Starter plan was listed at $29 a month billed monthly, or less per month if you pay yearly. Prices were shown in US dollars, so check what you'll actually pay in pounds, including VAT, before you buy. Try Synthesia (affiliate link)
Our suggestion: if you want a talking presenter, try Synthesia's free plan. If you'd rather use pictures, clips and text, start with Canva or CapCut for free.
Step by step: your first 60-second video
- Pick one job for the video. For example “how to book a class”, “welcome to new volunteers” or “what we sell and where to find us”. One video, one message.
- Decide where it will go. Landscape (wide) suits websites and YouTube. Upright (tall) suits Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Most tools ask you to choose at the start.
- Write a short script – about 130 to 150 words for a minute. See the copy-and-paste prompt below.
- Choose your tool – an AI presenter (Synthesia) or clips, photos and text (Canva, CapCut).
- Build it. Paste in your script, pick a presenter or voice, and add a picture or clip for each sentence or two. Add your logo and colours.
- Add subtitles. Use the automatic captions, then read every line – AI often gets names, place names and jargon wrong.
- Add music quietly from the tool's own library, so you know it's allowed. Keep it well below the voice.
- Watch it on your phone twice – once with sound and once without – and ask someone else to watch it too.
- Download it as an MP4 and post it. Mention in the caption that it uses AI.
Write your script with a free chatbot
A free chatbot such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini or Claude can write a first draft in seconds. Copy this, fill in the [brackets] and send:
“Write a 60-second video script (about 140 words) for [your organisation], a [what you do] in [your town]. The video is for [who will watch] and will be posted on [where]. The aim is to [one clear goal, e.g. get people to book a free taster session]. Use plain British English, short sentences and a friendly tone. Grab attention in the first sentence, give three simple points, and end with one clear next step: [what you want viewers to do]. Split it into short scenes and suggest a simple picture or clip for each one. Don't make up prices, dates or facts – leave [brackets] where I need to add details.”
Then read it out loud. Change anything that doesn't sound like you, and check every fact. New to chatbots? Start with our beginner's guide to ChatGPT.
Adding a voiceover
You have three choices:
- Use the built-in voice in your video tool – AI presenter tools speak your script for you.
- Record yourself on your phone in a quiet room with soft furnishings. A real voice can feel warmer, especially for a local business or charity.
- Use an AI voice tool such as ElevenLabs or Murf, then add the audio file to your video in Canva or CapCut. Try ElevenLabs (affiliate link) · Try Murf (affiliate link)
At the time of checking (18 October 2026), ElevenLabs had a free plan, but its pricing page listed the commercial licence on paid plans (from the Starter plan, listed at $6 a month before tax). Murf's free Studio plan (checked 19 October 2026) offered about 10 minutes to try, but no downloads and no commercial rights on free – those come with paid plans. Free is fine for trying voices out, but check the licence before you use one in an advert or a business video. Our step-by-step AI voiceover guide shows you how.
Honest limits
- It can look a bit artificial. AI presenters sometimes have stiff expressions or slightly odd lip movements. Viewers may notice.
- Not right for every message. A heartfelt charity appeal or a personal thank-you is usually better from a real person, even filmed on a phone.
- AI clips can be generic or wrong – strange hands, jumbled text on signs, or scenes that don't look like the UK. Swap out anything that looks off.
- Pronunciation slips. Check how it says local place names and your business name. Spelling a word the way it sounds often fixes it.
- Free plans have limits – watermarks, fewer minutes and fewer presenters or voices. Paid plans renew automatically, so set a reminder to review.
- Check the licence for music, stock footage and voices before using them in adverts.
Safety, consent and respect
- Never make an AI avatar or voice of someone without their permission. That includes staff, volunteers, family members, customers and celebrities. If a colleague agrees to be turned into an avatar, get it in writing and agree what happens to it if they leave.
- Label AI content. A simple line such as “This video uses an AI presenter” keeps things honest.
- Don't use AI to impersonate real people or to make it look like someone said something they didn't.
- Keep personal details out. Don't paste customer names, addresses or other private information into AI tools.
- Know the scams. Criminals use the same technology to make fake celebrity investment ads and fake “family emergency” calls. Our AI safety guide explains how to spot deepfake scams and where to report them in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make an AI video for free?
Yes. Canva and CapCut both have free plans for putting together clips, pictures, text and music, and Canva's free video editor can generate captions. For a talking AI presenter, Synthesia's free Basic plan included 10 minutes of video a month at the time of checking (18 October 2026), with a Synthesia watermark on the videos.
Do I have to say a video was made with AI?
It's good practice to label it – for example “This video uses an AI presenter” in the caption or at the end. It's honest, it builds trust, and it stops viewers feeling misled, especially if you're a business or charity.
Can I make an AI avatar of myself?
Some tools let you create a digital version of yourself from your own video. Synthesia lists personal avatars on its paid plans. Only ever make an avatar or voice of yourself, or of someone who has given you clear permission – ideally in writing.
How long should my first AI video be?
Aim for under a minute. Around 130 to 150 words of script is roughly a minute when read at a calm pace. Short videos are quicker to make, cheaper on free allowances, and more people watch to the end.
Will people be able to tell it's AI?
Often, yes. AI presenters and voices have improved a lot, but they can still look or sound a little stiff. That's fine for training and how-to videos. For a personal thank-you or a heartfelt appeal, a real person filmed on a phone often works better.