Illustrated and Canvas explainers
Scene-based illustrations visualize a concept, process, story, or product. The art can follow a preset or a reusable Custom Style.
What Is an AI Explainer Video?
An AI explainer video uses artificial intelligence to turn an idea, script, document, recording, or video into a structured story with narration and matching scenes.
Reviewed and updated July 31, 2026.
The practical definition
“Explainer video” describes the job, not one visual style. The video should help a particular audience understand a topic, product, process, decision, or story. AI can assist with one stage—such as script drafting or voice generation—or coordinate the full path from source material to a narrated scene sequence.
A useful AI explainer therefore starts with a clear learning or communication outcome. It should have a logical script, visuals that clarify the narration, readable on-screen text, accurate claims, and a format suited to the publishing channel. Generation speed matters, but a fast draft is only valuable when it reduces the work needed to reach a publishable result.
Golpo supports prompt-, script-, document-, audio-, and video-led workflows. Depending on the selected workflow and plan, creators can use whiteboard or illustrated scenes, Custom Style, Voice Instructions, Video Instructions, Own Narration, Picture in Picture, and frame-level editing. See the complete creation workflow for the practical steps.
AI explainer video types
Choose the format that helps the audience understand the subject—not simply the format with the most effects.
Whiteboard explainers
Drawn scenes and progressive visual reveals make abstract or instructional ideas easier to follow.
Presenter and Picture-in-Picture videos
A real speaker appears beside, above, below, or over the animated explanation using an uploaded recording or webcam video.
Avatar-led presenter videos
A generated presenter delivers a script. This format is common for corporate training, localization, and spokesperson content.
Stock-footage explainers
Licensed or generated footage, captions, music, and narration create marketing and social-first videos.
Character and template animation
Reusable characters, assets, and timelines give editors more manual scene control.
Whiteboard is an important subcategory, not the whole category. For that format, see what a whiteboard explainer video is.
Four ways to start
The source you already trust should determine the workflow.
Idea or prompt
Describe the audience, subject, goal, tone, duration, and any must-cover points. The system develops the script and scenes.
Open the workflow →Approved script
Supply the exact narration when wording, sequence, compliance, or timing must remain under your control.
Open the workflow →Document or URL
Ground the video in a PDF, presentation, article, product document, or other source material.
Open the workflow →Your own audio or video
Use a recorded voice or speaking video as the narration source; choose audio-only animation or Picture in Picture.
Open the workflow →How to make an AI explainer video
- 1
Choose the source
Start with a prompt, approved script, document, audio recording, or speaking video.
- 2
Define the audience and outcome
State who the video is for, what they should understand, and what they should do next.
- 3
Select the format and controls
Choose the style, duration, language, voice, pacing, layout, and any brand or visual instructions.
- 4
Generate and review
Check the script, scene order, narration, factual accuracy, on-screen text, accessibility, and brand fit.
- 5
Export and measure
Publish where the audience needs the answer and measure completion, comprehension, conversion, or support impact.
What AI changes—and what still needs judgment
| Production task | What AI can accelerate | What the creator still owns |
|---|---|---|
| Research and source intake | Extract and organize supplied material | Source quality, permissions, and factual verification |
| Script and structure | Draft hooks, sections, narration, and scene beats | Audience judgment, approved claims, and final wording |
| Storyboard and visuals | Match scenes and illustrations to narration | Clarity, brand fit, cultural context, and visual accuracy |
| Voice and localization | Generate or synchronize narration and language versions | Pronunciation, tone, consent, and language review |
| Editing and publishing | Produce a first cut and reusable variants | Quality control, accessibility, approval, placement, and measurement |
Use cases and next guides
AI explainer video FAQ
What is an AI explainer video?
An AI explainer video uses artificial intelligence to help turn an idea, script, document, audio recording, or video into a structured video with narration and matching scenes. The output may be illustrated, whiteboard-style, presenter-led, stock-footage-based, or a hybrid.
Is every AI explainer video a whiteboard video?
No. Whiteboard animation is one explainer format. AI explainer videos can also use color illustrations, custom visual styles, real presenters in Picture in Picture, avatars, stock footage, motion graphics, or character animation.
Do I need a finished script before I start?
Not always. A prompt-first workflow can develop the script for you. Use script mode when the narration has already been approved or must follow exact wording.
Can I use my own voice or speaking video?
Yes. In Golpo, Own Narration can use uploaded audio or video. Audio-only mode uses the recording as narration and discards its visuals; Picture in Picture preserves the uploaded speaker video and places it with the animation.
How should I compare AI explainer video tools?
Run the same real prompt, script, or document through two or three tools. Compare first-draft usefulness, visual fit, editing effort, voice quality, source grounding, export needs, and total cost at your expected volume.
Turn a real idea into an explainer
Use a topic, script, or document you already need to communicate.
Create a Golpo video