![Getting Started with AI Video Generation [2026] — The Post-Sora Landscape, Veo/Kling, and Prompt Tips](https://arte.itlibra.com/images/articles/ai-video-generation-featured-en.svg)
Contents
"Type some text, and a video with sound is born in seconds" — what would have been science fiction not long ago became reality in 2026. And the situation is changing at a frightening pace. OpenAI's Sora, which had dominated the conversation, shut down its app and web in April 2026 (with the API to follow in September). In its place, Google Veo, Kling, and Runway have taken the lead — the map was redrawn in just a few months.
This is an up-to-date (as of June 2026), tool-agnostic guide to "getting started with AI video generation." What it can do, the 2026 landscape, how it works, the shared 5 steps, tips for video prompts, what it struggles with, and rights, watermarks, and ethics — all sorted out for beginners. For the image-side fundamentals, see getting started with AI image generation; for the reverse — making subtitles and transcripts from video — see creating subtitles from video and audio with AI.
Words → moving footage (with sound, too)
— one line of prompt becomes a clip of tens of seconds
*This article reflects information as of June 2026. AI video generation changes especially fast; tools' availability, pricing, and features shift often (Sora's shutdown is a live example). Specific figures and specs are quotations of public information from each person/company; always check the latest official information and your own country's laws before use.
1. What is AI video generation? What can it do?
AI video generation is a technology where, from text (a prompt) or a single image, the AI creates brand-new moving footage. It is the "video version" of image generation, and in 2026, models that generate matching audio (dialogue, sound effects, music) at the same time became mainstream.
AI video generation = "a technology where the AI generates a few-second-to-tens-of-seconds video from words or an image." In 2026, audio sync, 1080p–4K, and turning images into video became standard. You can make a "first draft of footage" with no shooting or editing.
The uses are wide: short social videos and ad clips, product or service intros, storyboards / concept checks, inserts for presentations, even animated versions of a social icon. It can sharply compress the cost and time of live-action shooting and animation. On the other hand, a long finished piece in one click is still out of reach (more below). For now, the realistic way to think about it in 2026 is as "a tool for making short cuts at high quality."
2. [2026 latest] How much the landscape changed
In this field, the lead changes hands in months. The biggest shift is the retreat of OpenAI's Sora, which had dominated the conversation. Before you start, get the current map straight.
⚠ Important: OpenAI Sora is shutting down
OpenAI announced Sora's discontinuation on March 24, 2026. The app and web were discontinued on April 26, 2026, and the API is scheduled to be discontinued on September 24, 2026 (per OpenAI's official Help Center notice). Reports cite pressure on compute and cost, a decline in users, and a focus on core enterprise products as the background. In other words, "just start with Sora" is no longer an option as of June 2026.
So what should you use now? As of June 2026, these are the names considered top-tier (quotations of each company's public information and various benchmarks; rankings and figures vary over time).
| Tool | Strengths (as discussed in 2026) | Main access |
|---|---|---|
| Google Veo 3.1 | Top-tier all-rounder. Prompt adherence, 48 kHz synced dialogue, 4K output in landscape and portrait | Gemini app / Google Flow / Gemini API |
| Kling 3.0 | Called the best value. Native 4K, multi-cut storyboard mode, audio sync | Web service (credit-based) |
| Runway Gen-4.5 | Pro-level control. Camera moves, motion brush, character consistency | Web service (credit-based) |
| OpenAI Sora 2 | Highly rated for photorealism, but — | Shutting down (app done / API in Sept) |
*Per-second pricing is the norm (e.g., roughly $0.1–0.7 per second depending on format and quality, with differences by company; Veo's fast mode is said to be cheaper). Plans and prices change often, so always check the official source.
The good news for beginners is that you can start from an entry point you already know. For example, Google Veo can be used from the Gemini app or the video tool "Google Flow" (a qualifying plan is required), so you can take the first step without learning a dedicated site. The basic principle is not "which is the right answer" but "choose by use and budget."
3. How it works, made simple
Most AI video generation runs on a mechanism based on the same "diffusion model" idea as image generation, extended to also handle the time dimension (a sequence of frames).
Roughly speaking —
- It trains on huge numbers of "video + caption" pairs, learning how words, looks, and motion map together.
- At generation, it starts from noise and, using your prompt as a cue, tidies each frame bit by bit.
- While doing so, it adjusts to keep the connection between frames (temporal consistency).
- The newest models also generate audio that matches the footage at the same time.
There are two main input methods: "text-to-video" (made from text) and "image-to-video" (animating a single image). The latter is a combo move — first make the ideal still in image generation, then animate it — which makes it easier to land the picture you intend. If video feels intimidating, starting from image-to-video is a good way in.
4. Getting started — the shared 5 steps
Whatever tool you use, the basic flow is the same. Grasp these 5 steps, and the skill carries over even when the tool changes.
Choose a tool / entry
By use and budget. Easy from the Gemini app, etc.
Prompt or image
Prepare text or a source image (section 5).
Set length, ratio, audio
Seconds, orientation, sound on/off, camera.
Generate and pick
Generate several, pick the best, re-tune.
Join and finish
Connect cuts in an editor and export.
The key is step 5. Today's AI video is a few seconds to tens of seconds per generation, so for a long video the basic method is to "make several short cuts and join them in editing software." Rather than aiming for one self-contained piece, order it cut by cut and turn it into a film in editing — just this mindset makes the result far more stable. Many tools have free tiers or trial credits, so make one cut first.
5. [Core] Tips for video prompts
The biggest difference from images is "motion," "time," and "sound." Think of it as adding video-specific elements to the 6 parts of an image prompt.
| Element | Job | Example phrasing |
|---|---|---|
| Subject / scene | What and where (same as images) | "a dog on a beach at dusk" |
| Motion / action | What moves (the core of video) | "runs along the surf, left to right" |
| Camera work | Movement of the viewpoint | "slow follow," "drone overhead" |
| Style / mood | The look | "cinematic," "slow motion" |
| Length / ratio | Duration and orientation | "8 seconds," "9:16 vertical" |
| Audio | Dialogue, SFX, BGM | "sound of waves, a dog barking" |
Combine them and you get, for example, this. Including verbs (run, spin, approach) and camera movement is the decisive difference from a still image.
[Motion] running along the surf, left to right, [Camera] follow with a lateral move,
[Style] cinematic, slow motion, [Length/ratio] 8 seconds, 16:9,
[Audio] the sound of waves and an upbeat BGM
Three practical tips. ① Do not overdo it — one cut, one action (cramming several motions tends to break down). ② Use image-to-video (lock the ideal composition in a still first, then animate it). ③ Run the count and pick (video has a lot of "wobble," so harvest the best from several generations). The basic stance is the same as prompt engineering — be specific, add bit by bit, iterate.
6. What it can and cannot do yet
The progress in 2026 is striking, but it is not all-powerful. To set the right expectations, here is what it is and is not good at now.
✓ Can already do
- High-quality clips of seconds to tens of seconds
- Dialogue, SFX, and BGM that match the footage
- 1080p–4K resolution
- Animating an image (image-to-video)
- Specifying camera work and mood
⚠ Still struggles with
- Making a multi-minute long piece in one shot
- Full consistency across a long scene
- Complex physics, fine fingers and text
- Exactly reproducing your intent (a lot of wobble)
- Cost (per-second billing adds up surprisingly)
In short, it is good at "generating short cuts," bad at "finishing a long piece as-is." That is exactly why, as noted, making cuts and joining them in editing is the royal road. And because of per-second billing, lock the composition with low-resolution, short clips first, and generate at high quality only once it is decided to keep costs down. Designing around the weak spots directly raises your return.
7. Rights, watermarks, ethics
Because video spreads so powerfully, the weight of rights and ethics is even greater than for images. If you use it for work or publishing, be sure to lock this down.
🏷 Watermarks
Watermarks marking AI generation, like Google's SynthID, are becoming standard. A visible and an invisible mark are embedded and cannot be removed on most plans. The C2PA provenance standard is also spreading.
⚖️ Copyright / commercial
As with images, purely AI-generated work is hard to protect by copyright (with country differences). Commercial use depends on the tool's terms. Conditions can differ by plan.
🛡️ Deepfakes
Animating a real person's face or voice without permission is strictly off-limits. Impersonation and misinformation carry large legal and ethical risks. Regulation is tightening in many countries.
Three takeaways. ① It is becoming standard for AI video to carry provenance and watermarks (use it on the premise that "you cannot hide, and should not hide, that it is AI-made"). ② Always confirm commercial use against the tool's terms. ③ Do not use real people, voices, brands, or others' work without permission. Video especially tends to cause greater harm precisely because it looks "real." When in doubt, pause and ask, "Could publishing this hurt or mislead someone?" — that is your best defense.
8. Next steps
Once you have the basics, actually making one cut is the fastest way forward. Here are some related articles too.
🖼 Start with images first
A base for image-to-video. Learn the prompt anatomy in getting started with AI image generation.
📝 Make subtitles from video
For the reverse use, see creating subtitles from video and audio with AI.
🎨 Built into design work
For making decks and assets, AI design tools compared is a useful reference.
🔎 Check the latest
A fast-moving field. Make a habit of checking pricing and availability on each tool's official page.
Summary
Here is how to get started with AI video generation, condensed.
- The essence: A technology that makes moving footage from words or images. In 2026, audio sync, 1080p–4K, and image-to-video became standard.
- Landscape (June 2026): Sora's app shut down (API to end in September). The leads are Google Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0, and Runway Gen-4.5. It changes fast.
- Mechanism: Diffusion models extended into the time dimension. Two inputs: text-to-video and image-to-video.
- 5 steps: Choose a tool → prompt/image → set length, ratio, audio → generate and pick → join in editing.
- Prompts: Subject + motion + camera + style + length + audio. Verbs and camera work are the keys.
- Rights: Watermarks (SynthID/C2PA) are standardizing / purely AI output is weakly protected / deepfakes are off-limits.
In the end, AI video generation is plenty practical right now as "a tool for making short cuts at high quality." Do not aim for a long piece in one shot; make cuts and join them in editing. Grasp that distance, and you can step into an era of making "footage" with zero camera gear, starting today. First, from an entry point at hand like the Gemini app, try an 8-second one-cut video. And remember — this field really does change fast; do not forget this article is a map as of June 2026, and always confirm the latest officially.
FAQ
Q. What is AI video generation? Please explain for beginners.
A. It is a technology where, from text (a prompt) or a single image, the AI creates brand-new moving footage of a few seconds to tens of seconds. It is the video version of image generation, and in 2026, models that also generate matching audio (dialogue, SFX, BGM) at the same time became mainstream. With no camera gear, you can easily make "first drafts" of social videos, intros, storyboards, and more.
Q. Is Sora no longer usable? What should I use now?
A. OpenAI announced Sora's discontinuation on March 24, 2026; the app and web were discontinued on April 26, 2026, and the API is scheduled to end on September 24, 2026 (per OpenAI's official Help Center notice). So "just start with Sora" is not an option as of June 2026. The current top-tier names are the all-rounder Google Veo 3.1, the value pick Kling 3.0, and the control-focused Runway Gen-4.5. Because it changes fast, always check each official source before use.
Q. How do I get started? Can I try it for free?
A. Many tools have free tiers or trial credits. For example, Google Veo can be used from the Gemini app or the video tool "Google Flow" (a qualifying plan is required), so you can start without learning a dedicated site. The flow is 5 steps: "choose a tool → prompt or source image → set length, ratio, audio → generate and pick → join in editing." Trying a single cut of about 8 seconds first is recommended.
Q. What are the tips for video prompts? How is it different from images?
A. The biggest difference is "motion, time, and sound." In addition to subject and scene, specify motion expressed with verbs (run, spin, approach), camera work (follow, overhead), length and aspect ratio, and audio if needed (dialogue, SFX, BGM). The tips: do not cram too much motion into one cut, lock the ideal composition in a still first and then animate it (image-to-video), and generate several and pick the best.
Q. Can I use AI-made videos commercially? What about copyright?
A. Whether commercial use is allowed depends on the terms of the tool you use (conditions can differ by plan). As with images, purely AI-generated work with no human creative involvement is currently hard to protect by copyright, and handling differs by country. Also, watermarks marking AI generation — like Google's SynthID — are embedded by default and cannot be removed on most plans. Always check the latest terms and your own country's laws before use.
Q. Can I make a long video (several minutes)?
A. As of 2026, each generation is mainly a few seconds to tens of seconds, and finishing a multi-minute long piece in one shot is still difficult. The realistic way to make a long video is to generate several short cuts and join them in video editing software. Since many tools bill per second, locking the composition with low-resolution, short clips first and then generating at high quality once decided lets you keep costs down while raising the quality.
