A filmed ad means a crew, a location, actors, and an editor, which is a lot to spend on a spot you are not sure will work. AI video lets a small business make an ad from a script and a few product photos, then make three more versions to see which one people respond to.
It is not free of risk, though. Here is what has happened with real AI ads, and how to make one that works.
What real AI ads have cost
The most cited example is a 30-second ad for the prediction market Kalshi that aired during the 2025 NBA Finals. Filmmaker PJ Accetturo told NPR it took two days, that the cost of prompting the AI was under $2,000, and that it took about 300 to 400 generations to get 15 usable clips. He also said: "Just because this was cheap doesn't mean anyone can do it."
That last point matters. The low cost covered the generations, not the years of skill in writing, directing, and editing behind it. Airtime is a separate cost entirely: NBC sold 30-second spots in the 2026 Super Bowl at an average of $8 million. AI changes what it costs to make an ad, not what it costs to show it.
When AI ads backfire
In 2024 Coca-Cola remade its classic "Holidays Are Coming" spot with generative AI. Early testing scored it well, but public reaction quickly turned, with critics saying it sucked the warmth out of a holiday classic (Adweek).
The lesson for a small business: viewers notice uncanny faces, warped products, and ads that feel like they were made to save money. Show your real product accurately, keep generated people in a supporting role, and do not use AI to fake testimonials or results.
How to make an ad with EasyVid
- Start with the hook and the offer. Pick the Ad / Marketing Video format and describe your product, who it is for, and the one thing you want viewers to do. EasyVid writes a short script with a hook, the benefits, and a call to action in the last scene.
- Attach your product and logo. Add product photos as references so the ad shows what you actually sell, and place your logo on the video, choosing its corner, size, and opacity. See how reference images work.
- Choose a voice. Pick a narrator from the expressive voices whose tone fits your brand, and add subtitles for viewers watching with the sound off.
- Review every scene. Regenerate any shot where the product looks wrong. This is the step that keeps an AI ad from looking cheap.
- Export for each platform. Vertical (9:16) for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, square (1:1) for the Instagram feed, and landscape (16:9) for YouTube.
Test more than one version
The real advantage of AI ads for a small budget is volume. Make two or three versions with different hooks or a different opening shot, run them with a small budget each, and keep the one that performs. Change one thing per version so you know what made the difference.
Ready to make your first ad? Start with the AI video generator.