Home › Answers › Getting started with AI
Can AI analyse a video?
Short answer
Yes. Google Gemini can analyse videos you upload and public YouTube links, describing what happens, summarising speech and answering questions. Google says free users can upload up to 5 minutes of video in total and Google AI Pro or Ultra users up to an hour, with files up to 2GB each (checked 18 October 2026). Other chatbots vary.
What AI can do with video
- Summarise a recorded meeting, webinar or training video.
- Pull out steps from a how-to video into a checklist.
- Answer questions like "When does the presenter mention pricing?"
- Describe what is shown, such as damage in a site video for a quote.
- Create captions or a transcript. See how to use AI for transcription
Which tools to use
| Tool | Video support |
|---|---|
| Gemini app | Upload videos or paste YouTube links |
| ChatGPT | Can work from video files and frames, with varying results |
| Copilot Vision | Looks at your screen live but cannot read videos or GIFs |
| Otter, Fireflies | Transcribe meeting audio and summarise it |
Limits
AI can miss quick moments, misread small text and get timings wrong. It is not reliable for safety-critical checks such as electrical faults or structural damage. Check anything important yourself.
Privacy
Videos of customers, staff or homes contain personal data. Get permission before uploading, and avoid free personal accounts for sensitive footage. See is CCTV footage personal data?
Related questions
Can AI search inside videos?
Yes. Ask Gemini to find when something is said or shown, and it gives timestamps you can check.
Can AI edit videos?
Yes, tools like CapCut and Canva use AI for cutting and captions. See how much does an AI video generator cost?
Is Gemini video analysis free?
Yes, within the free plan's 5-minute upload limit.
Sources
- Gemini Apps Help: upload and analyse files
- Google AI for Developers: video understanding
- Microsoft Support: how vision in Microsoft Copilot works
Checked 18 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
More on getting started with ai
- Are AI chatbots dangerous?
- Can AI compare two documents?
- Can AI help me write a book?
- Can AI proofread a document?
- Can ChatGPT be used for business?
- Can ChatGPT make a PowerPoint presentation?
All getting started with ai answers · All answers · Guides · AI tools directory
Get one useful AI tool in your inbox each weekday
Free, plain English, five minutes to read. Unsubscribe any time.
See our privacy notice.