YouTube is making a more concerted effort to disclose to viewers when they are watching videos made with AI.
In a blog explaining the update Wednesday, the Google-owned video giant said “photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated content” would receive more prominent labels. Long-form videos fitting that description will have labels directly below the video player, while Shorts will be given a label directly overlayed onto the video itself.
“By moving these labels on to the main stage, viewers get the context they need at a glance,” the blog post said.
The update comes two years after YouTube unveiled a new setup for creators, encouraging them to self-monitor and disclose to their audiences when they were using AI. That framework hasn’t prevented bad actors from willingly exploiting AI, as in the case of channels Deadline reported on earlier this year that were putting out fake movie trailers. YouTube shut down the channels in the wake of Deadline’s investigation.
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Along with the new approach to labeling, YouTube said it is rolling out new technology designed to detect the use of AI. If a creator doesn’t voluntarily disclose the use of AI, YouTube will affix a label. With 20 million videos uploaded every day to YouTube, the task of policing that content is daunting.
“These changes are designed to balance transparency with creator control,” the blog post said. “It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money. In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information.”