Video demand is at an all-time high, and audience acceptance for "robotic" content is at an all-time low. As the landscape becomes saturated with automated content, the goalposts for success have shifted. To find out what truly moves the needle, we surveyed over 500 marketers and consumers on their habits, AI concerns, and plans for the year ahead.
Here is how to navigate the 2026 video trends and leverage AI without losing your brand’s soul.
We want more videos, but they have to be real
As video demand explodes, many brands are turning to AI to scale. But over a third of consumers said AI-generated videos may lower their perception of the brand.
So what can be done? How should brands walk the tightrope of delivering more videos with more authenticity to cut through the noise?
Takeaway #1: AI video isn’t going anywhere, but without humans at the heart, it won’t take you far.
"Uncanny" content comes with a cost
AI is helping us work fast, scaling video content like never before to meet a seemingly insatiable appetite. But AI often prioritizes speed over soul, churning out content that is technically impressive but emotionally hollow.
Terms like “AI-slop” show us that this exponential growth doesn’t come without risk and a loss of authenticity. You've probably heard it before, you know it when you see it, and you sure don't want it to apply to you or your content.
83% of consumers believe they can spot AI-generated videos, and they aren't just guessing. They’re noticing:
- Robotic gestures (67%)
- Unnatural voices (55%)
- Lack of emotional tone (51%)
These are all giveaways that consumers may not be able to believe their eyes. And only 3.5% fully trust entirely AI-generated videos.
Takeaway #2: While AI is a reliable tool for scaling content production, it’s not a replacement for people.
The human-centric solution: People over prompts
So what do consumers want? The good news is that they’re not looking for Hollywood-level polish, just real people.
78% of consumers say they trust videos with real people.
They value a "personal and authentic" feel (43%) over "professionally made" (26.7%) videos. That leaves a lot of opportunity for your brand to showcase its best assets!
Balance AI with authenticity
Use your own media. 83% of marketers agree that using their own footage and photos is essential to maintaining the brand's personality. Then, with your media at the center, AI video makers like Animoto can piece it all together in seconds, leaving you with a professional, authentic, brand-safe video in a matter of minutes, not days.
Focus on the unique photos and stories that AI can’t generate. Real talking heads, team photos, and behind-the-scenes footage don't just grab attention; they build the trust your brand needs.
Takeaway #3: Nothing says authenticity and trust like real people. Keep your photos and clips at the heart of your video, and use AI to piece it all together.
How to use AI without losing your brand's soul
Animoto’s AI video maker is unlike other tools that rely on generic stock or uncanny avatars. It will help you create compelling videos faster, without losing the people, stories, and moments that set you apart.
Just upload your media or drop in your URL, and AI will do the rest. Seriously, all the scripting, structuring, and assembling is handled, so you can focus on making a connection with your audience.
Here's an example of a video that was made with Animoto's AI video maker and 5 minutes of editing time:
Ready to give it a try? Sign up for a free Animoto account, then get started in one of two ways:
1) Create with AI
Navigate to the Create dropdown and select "Create with AI". Then,
- Pick a video type: Choose the video type that best matches your vision. If there isn’t a perfect fit, no problem, you can choose “Other” and add more details in the next step.
- Share what your video is about: Now is the time to add must-have details. Think promo details, important dates, product features, or even more specific directions, like tone of voice, goals, or words to avoid in your script. If you’re not sure where to start, you only need to add a word or two at this stage. You can tweak and refine your script as you go!
- Choose an aspect ratio: Choose the perfect aspect ratio for your social destination.
- Upload your media: Lastly, add media from your device or phone. Every photo and video you add at this stage will be incorporated into your video.
- Generate your video & edit: Now sit back as our AI tool creates a script and pieces your media into a completed video! Once your video is generated, you can make as many or few edits as you’d like using our classic, easy Animoto tools.
2) Generate from a URL
If you’re looking for an even easier starting place, our AI tool can turn almost any URL into a video. Really! All you have to do is select “Generate from a URL”, drop in your link, choose a video type, and generate. It will pull photos and videos from your page, create a script based on your site copy, and turn it all into a ready-to-share video.
Just like the media-based flow above, you’ll be able to make as many changes to your videos as you’d like!
Whether it’s a homepage, product page, real estate listing, or blog post, this is a great option for those who want to turn their top-performing content into a video quickly.
The future is AI-assisted, but human-led
As we move through 2026, the brands that win won’t be the ones that use the most AI, they’ll be the ones that use AI to highlight their humanity. Efficiency is a tool, but authenticity is your edge.
Animoto’s AI removes the friction that slows down video creation without replacing the stories, people, and moments that your audience connects with.
Get started on your next AI-powered video for free:
