AI Threatens the Clip-Driven Creator Economy

AI-powered clipping tools are threatening to replace the armies of freelance editors who cut long videos into bite-sized clips that fuel influencer growth. Companies like Overlap and OpusClip are being used by iHeartMedia, and creators such as MrBeast, Druski, and Bobbi Althoff have used them to boost reach, often paying clippers per thousand views. While many say human editors still add value, the AI clip economy is driving a ‘flood the algorithm’ approach that could reshape virality and revenue in the creator economy.