Although automated item generation has gained a considerable amount of attention in a variety of fields, it is still a relatively new technology in ELT contexts. Therefore, the present article aims to provide an accessible introduction to this powerful resource for language teachers based on a review of the available research. Particularly, it will give a brief introduction to different types of automated item generation approaches, provide a summary of previous ELT studies on this technology, and introduce three different AI-powered tools, along with practical tips for ELT practitioners. We conclude by calling for more empirical research on automated item generation from the ELT community and encouraging language teachers to take an interest in this technology themselves.