Generative AI promises a revolution, but the real cost of content production often remains hidden. We calculated how much it costs to create a 25-second commercial using neural networks, including script, images, video, voiceover, and music. Spoiler: the 25-second video cost 2,126 ₽, or 85 ₽ per second. The lion’s share of the budget, almost 90%, was “eaten up” by video generation.
How much does AI advertising cost: a 25-second video for 2,126 ₽
In a world where technology is developing at an incredible pace, artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of many industries, including content creation. But what is the real price of this innovation? We conducted an experiment to find out how much it costs to create a 25-second commercial entirely with neural networks. The results may surprise you, because the cost of unique content for one video and profitable CPM for advertising materials are becoming key factors.
The experiment was conducted through BotHub using the following models:
- GPT-6 Astra for script and prompt refinement.
- Nano Banana 2 for generating source images.
- Kling v3 for converting images to video.
- ElevenLabs Flash v3 for voiceover.
- Suno v5.5 for musical accompaniment.
We advertised a herbarium, without commercial implications. Important: only the marginal cost was taken into account — the cost of successful generations included in the final video. Actual costs may vary depending on prompting skills and perfectionism level, increasing the number of regenerations and, accordingly, the budget.
Methodology for calculating the cost of AI production
For an objective assessment, it is important to distinguish between two types of costs:
- Cost of result generation: direct computational costs for content creation.
- Cost of infrastructure access: costs for subscriptions or minimum credit packages for using services.
In the case of a single video, the second amount can significantly exceed the first. Of course, open-source models can be deployed locally, but this requires a powerful PC, which is not always available.
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Step 1: AI-powered ad script
We started by creating a concept. GPT-6 Astra acted as a creative producer and scriptwriter. The prompt was formulated so that the model immediately took into account the limitations of AI generation and formed prompts for each element.
Prompt to GPT-6 Astra:
«Role: You are an experienced creative producer and scriptwriter specializing in creating advertisements using neural networks. Task: Develop a detailed script for a 25-second commercial for a Herbarium (an album with a collection of dried plants/herbs). Important condition: All content (video, photo, audio) will be AI-generated. Therefore, your task is not just to provide a script with a description of the picture, but a script supplemented with prompts for each element. Atmosphere: warm, autumn, cozy».
The script development and adjustments took ₽102.09.
Step 2: Generating images for the ad
Nano Banana 2 was used to create eight base images that set the composition, atmosphere, and style. The total cost of this stage was ₽128.29, which is an average of ₽16 per image.
The images served as an intermediate state: they fixed the spatial structure of the frame, which simplifies the task for the video model. This allows for consistency between scenes, which is critical for a commercial.
Image-to-video: precise control over the result
Unlike text-to-video, where the model simultaneously interprets the description, chooses the composition, and adds movement, image-to-video fixes most variables. This gives greater control over the result and ensures stylistic unity across all frames, which reduces the cost of uniqueizing one video and provides a favorable CPM for advertising materials.
Step 3: Video generation: the most expensive part of AI advertising
Converting static images into video scenes is the most resource-intensive stage. Seven video scenes were generated using Kling v3 Video, preserving the original composition and adding natural dynamics.
The cost of one video scene was about ₽268, and the total cost of video generation was ₽1,878.17. This is 88% of the total budget. The high cost is due to the need to ensure temporal consistency: objects, camera, lighting, and scene geometry must be stable throughout the video.
Step 4: Ad voiceover with ElevenLabs: cheap and tasteful
ElevenLabs Flash v3 was used for the voiceover. This stage turned out to be one of the cheapest — only 6.04 ₽. TTS technologies significantly simplify the process compared to traditional voice actor recording, providing fast generation and low costs. This is an excellent option for cheap hypothesis testing and prototypes.
Step 5: Music for advertising in Suno: budget and limitations
The musical accompaniment was created using Suno v5.5. The model allows describing the mood and genre, rather than specific notes, which is convenient for advertising tasks. The cost of music generation was 11.82 ₽.
Although AI music saves budget, full control over the result is not guaranteed. However, for small projects, it is an effective alternative to stock tracks or ordering original music.
Total cost and comparison with direct subscriptions
The total cost of a 25-second advertising video created with AI was 2,126.41 ₽.
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| Script and prompts (GPT-6 Astra) | 102.09 ₽ |
| Base images (Nano Banana 2) | 128.29 ₽ |
| Video generation (Kling v3 Video) | 1,878.17 ₽ |
| Voiceover (ElevenLabs Flash v3) | 6.04 ₽ |
| Music (Suno v5.5) | 11.82 ₽ |
| TOTAL | 2,126.41 ₽ |
If access to each service were paid for separately, minimum monthly subscriptions would be around 3,591 ₽ (at an exchange rate of $1 = 86.4 ₽):
- ChatGPT (Plus): $20 (~1,729 ₽)
- Nano Banana 2: ~$0.54 (~47 ₽)
- Kling v3 Video: $6.99 (~604 ₽)
- ElevenLabs Flash: $6 (~519 ₽)
- Suno v5.5: $8 (~692 ₽)
These 3,591 ₽ are more of a starting capital than the cost of a single video, as tariffs usually include many more credits than required for one project. This highlights the benefit of using aggregators like BotHub for one-off tasks or cheap hypothesis testing.
Conclusions and prospects for AI production
AI production is not yet a seamless process. Each model has its own features and data formats. Cohesion between stages is ensured by an external workflow: prompts, references, manual editing. This distinguishes the demonstration of individual model capabilities from a full-fledged production system, where all elements must work in unison. The price per finished clip with AI can be significantly lower than traditional production, but requires competent pipeline management.
Overall, AI tools significantly lower the barrier to entry for video content creation, offering a budget-friendly alternative to seeding and traditional production studios. However, obtaining a high-quality result requires skills and an understanding of each model’s limitations. This makes CPM profitable for testing various advertising creatives.
Frequently asked questions
What CPM should be considered profitable for AI advertising?
A profitable CPM depends on the niche and campaign goals. If the cost of producing a video is low, as in our case, then even with an average CPM, the overall return on investment (ROI) can be high. The main advantage is the ability to quickly and cheaply test hypotheses.
What is cheaper: a banner, a blogger, or an AI video?
A direct comparison is incorrect, as these are different formats with different goals. However, AI video offers cheap hypothesis testing and can be significantly cheaper than producing a video with a blogger or even some types of banners, especially if complex animations are required. The cost of creating one AI video at 2,126 ₽ makes it competitive for mass content production.
Is it worth investing in AI for content production?
Yes, it is. AI significantly reduces the time and cost of production, allowing for quick creation and testing of advertising materials. This is especially relevant for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for arbitragers who value the cash and unit economics of each creative. However, it is necessary to consider that the price vs. result strongly depends on the skills of working with prompts and post-processing.
How much does it cost to cut 1 hour of stream using AI?
The cost of cutting an hour of stream using AI will depend on the services used and their rates for video processing. If it’s about creating short clips, it can be significantly cheaper than manual work and comparable to the price of generating one video, as the main costs will be for transcription and content analysis, not for generating video from scratch.
What is the price per minute of AI video with an avatar?
The price per minute of AI video with an avatar varies depending on the platform and the complexity of the avatar (2D, 3D, customization). In our experiment, 25 seconds of video cost 1,878 ₽, which is equivalent to approximately 4,500 ₽ per minute if only the video generation cost is extrapolated. However, avatar platforms have their own rates, which can be both higher and lower, depending on the features and quality provided.
AI advertising opens up new horizons for content creation, making it more accessible and faster. If you want to delve deeper into the world of AI and learn how it can transform your business, visit our blog. Discover new opportunities and start creating unique content today!