Eddie AI positions itself as a time-saving assistant for video professionals drowning in footage, promising to accelerate rough cuts and automate media logging across major editing platforms. But after a hands-on test with interview footage from an AI hackathon, the tool's "black box" approach raises questions about creative control versus efficiency gains.
Key capabilities include AI-assisted rough cut assembly, automated A-roll and B-roll logging, and direct export to Final Cut Pro, Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve. The standalone application works on Mac and PC, targeting editors who need to quickly organize large volumes of footage or generate initial cuts for client review.
Freemium Model Puts Power Behind Paywall
Eddie AI offers a free tier for testing, but exporting results requires a paid subscription starting at $25 monthly for four projects or $100 monthly for unlimited access. The pricing structure reflects the tool's focus on professional workflows rather than casual users.
Logging Gets the Job Done
The most practical application proves to be media organization. Eddie AI analyzes up to 10 A-roll clips or 50 B-roll clips per project, automatically categorizing footage by shot type and content. The system groups clips as close-up, medium, or wide shots while tagging content themes like "office" or "architecture."
Direct export to DaVinci Resolve includes dedicated scripting that creates organized bins and attaches metadata as searchable markers
Editors can quickly locate specific shots using keyword searches across large projects
Standard video files are supported, though raw formats like Blackmagic RAW remain incompatible
Rough Cut Assembly Shows Promise and Limitations
The V2 rough cut model attempts to solve the time-consuming process of initial story assembly. Users upload interview clips, select target duration, and receive an AI-generated story framework covering introduction, conflict, resolution, and conclusion.
The interactive workflow allows section-by-section review, but several constraints emerged during testing. "It was grabbing really short segments from each interview clip," notes the evaluation. "I would want to focus on having longer sound bites." The system currently limits projects to five interview clips with no multicam support, though this feature is reportedly in development.
Black Box Approach Frustrates Creative Control
Unlike editing software that shows every decision point, Eddie AI operates as what testers describe as a "black box." Users provide footage and receive results with minimal insight into the AI's selection process.
"You can't identify people, you can't train it on anything," explains one assessment. "Good first step, still some ways to go." The system sometimes selects interviewer questions instead of subject responses, and provides no options for removing filler words or customizing edit pacing.
Integration Targets Professional Workflows
Eddie AI focuses on roundtripping with established editing platforms rather than replacing them. Export options include XML for major NLEs and CSV output for custom workflows. However, projects remain device-specific, creating potential collaboration challenges for teams working across multiple machines.
Eddie AI's freemium approach provides flexible entry points for different production needs. The pricing structure allows users to test capabilities before committing to paid plans that unlock full functionality.
Free tier lets users upload footage and experiment with features, but exporting requires a paid plan
Standard plan ($25/month) includes four projects monthly with some limitations on project size
Pro plan ($100/month) delivers unlimited projects and access to all models and features
Value proposition hinges on comparing costs against assistant editor rates or the opportunity cost of time spent on technical tasks
Limitations
Current version presents workflow challenges that may impact adoption. Despite impressive capabilities, Eddie AI has several constraints that editors should consider before integration.
Project limits restrict users to 5 interview clips per rough cut and 10 A-roll/50 B-roll clips per logging project
No multicam support currently (available on latest update)
Projects aren't synchronized across devices, creating challenges for collaborative teams
Limited control over AI-driven selections creates a "black box" experience where users can't influence how content is chosen or trimmed
No support for raw video formats like Blackmagic RAW, potentially limiting high-end production workflows
The Bottom Line
Eddie AI succeeds as a time-saving assistant for specific tasks—organizing footage and generating initial cuts from interview material. But professionals seeking creative control or working with complex multicam projects will find the current limitations restrictive. The tool works best for editors who can accept its automated decisions as starting points rather than final creative choices.
As AI editing tools continue evolving, Eddie AI represents the current trade-off between speed and control. For teams drowning in footage who need rapid organization or client review cuts, the efficiency gains may justify the $100 monthly investment. But editors expecting granular creative control should look elsewhere—at least until future updates address the black box limitations.
