How you can make AI less dumb

Descript recently updated its platform to address a common frustration among video editors: generic, off-brand AI outputs. By introducing a feature called Custom Context, the company now allows users to upload specific background information, style guides, and reference materials that the AI must follow when generating scripts or performing edits. This shift moves the tool away from broad, general-purpose logic and toward a more tailored assistant that understands the nuances of a specific project.

What's new

The core of this update is the ability to store and apply persistent context to your workspace. Instead of repeating instructions in every prompt, you can now provide Descript with a knowledge base that includes your brand voice, technical terminology, or specific project history. This means the AI is less likely to hallucinate facts or use a tone that feels out of place for your audience.

Key capabilities include:

• Style Guidelines: Define the tone, whether it is academic, casual, or punchy, to ensure script drafts match your existing content.
• Reference Documents: Upload PDFs or text files that contain the facts the AI needs to reference, reducing the time spent correcting technical errors.
• Project-Specific Data: Feed the tool information about recurring characters, specific products, or complex workflows so it understands the subject matter it is editing (see the provider's announcement).

How it fits your workflow

For documentary filmmakers and corporate video editors, this update changes how the initial drafting phase works. Typically, using AI to summarize a long interview or draft a voiceover script results in a lot of manual cleanup because the AI lacks the specific context of the shoot. By using Descript with Custom Context, you can ensure the AI knows which technical terms are non-negotiable or which topics are off-limits before it even starts writing.

Podcasters and YouTubers can use this to maintain consistency across a long-running series. If you have a specific way of introducing guests or a set of recurring inside jokes, the AI can now incorporate those elements into its suggestions. This makes Descript a more viable alternative to hiring a junior script assistant for rough drafts. It augments the workflow by handling the heavy lifting of organization while staying within the guardrails you have established. Compared to general LLMs like ChatGPT, having this context live directly inside your video-editing environment saves the friction of jumping between browser tabs to copy-paste scripts.

What it costs / how to try it

Custom Context is available to users within the Descript app. You can find the settings for context and style guidelines within your workspace preferences. For specific tier availability and current subscription rates, visit the Descript website.