YouTube will soon let creators make Shorts with their own AI likeness

YouTube is preparing to empower creators with new artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the ability to generate YouTube Shorts using their own digital likeness. The announcement, made by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan on Wednesday, signals a significant expansion of AI integration on the platform, currently boasting 200 billion daily views for its short-form video content. This move aims to provide creators with more expressive options while simultaneously addressing concerns about unauthorized AI-generated content.

The Rise of AI-Powered YouTube Shorts

The new feature will allow creators to produce Shorts featuring AI versions of themselves, offering a novel way to engage their audience. Mohan emphasized that AI will be positioned as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace creators themselves. Alongside this, YouTube plans to introduce AI-driven capabilities for game creation through simple text prompts and expanded music integration within Shorts.

Expanding AI Toolset

This latest development builds upon YouTube’s existing suite of AI tools for Shorts. Creators currently have access to AI clip generation, AI stickers, and automated dubbing features designed to streamline the content creation process. These tools have been increasingly popular as creators seek efficient ways to produce engaging short-form videos.

Creator Control and Likeness Rights

Recognizing the potential for misuse, YouTube is also focusing on giving creators more control over their digital identities. According to Mohan, new tools will be implemented to help creators manage how their likeness is used in AI-generated content. This is a critical step in navigating the complex legal and ethical landscape surrounding AI and intellectual property.

Interestingly, while enabling creators to utilize their own likenesses, YouTube has simultaneously been working to prevent others from doing so without permission. Last October, the platform launched technology designed to detect AI-generated content that improperly uses a creator’s face and voice. Creators can then submit requests to have this unauthorized content removed, offering a layer of protection against deepfakes and impersonation.

Combating “AI Slop” and Maintaining Quality

The proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated content – often referred to as “AI slop” – has become a concern across social media platforms. YouTube is actively addressing this issue to maintain a positive user experience. The company intends to leverage its existing systems for combating spam and clickbait, adapting them to identify and reduce the spread of repetitive or low-effort AI content.

However, Mohan also acknowledged the importance of allowing organic trends to emerge. He noted that previously unconventional content formats, like ASMR and gaming videos, have become mainstream successes on YouTube. This suggests a cautious approach to content moderation, balancing quality control with the platform’s historical openness to diverse creative expression.

New Formats and Competition

Beyond AI, YouTube is also looking to diversify the Shorts format itself. The platform is preparing to introduce image posts, a feature already popular on competing platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. This expansion aims to broaden the appeal of Shorts and attract a wider range of content creators.

The move to incorporate image posts is a direct response to the evolving landscape of short-form video. TikTok and Instagram Reels have demonstrated the effectiveness of combining video with static images to create engaging content. YouTube’s adoption of this format is likely an attempt to remain competitive in the rapidly growing short-form video market.

The introduction of AI-powered tools and new formats comes at a time of increasing scrutiny surrounding AI-generated content and its impact on the creator economy. The debate over copyright, authenticity, and the potential displacement of human creators continues to intensify. YouTube’s approach, which emphasizes creator control and quality maintenance, represents an attempt to navigate these challenges responsibly.

Looking ahead, the rollout of these new AI features and image posts is expected to occur throughout the year. The effectiveness of the likeness-detection technology and the new creator control tools will be closely monitored. The platform will also need to assess the impact of these changes on content quality and user engagement. Further announcements regarding specific timelines and implementation details are anticipated in the coming months, and the ongoing evolution of AI on YouTube will undoubtedly remain a key area of focus for both the company and its creator community.