Attention YouTube Creators: Embrace AI Labeling for Your Video Content

Starting next Monday, YouTube creators will need to indicate if their videos were created using artificial intelligence to make them look realistic. This is part of YouTube's initiative to ensure transparency and prevent confusion or misinformation for viewers.

When uploading a video, creators will now be prompted with a checklist. They will need to confirm if their content includes scenes where a real person is shown doing or saying something they did not actually do, if footage of a real place or event has been altered, or if a realistic-looking scene was created but did not actually happen.

Online safety experts are concerned about the rise of new AI tools that can easily create convincing text, images, video, and audio, making it difficult to tell if content is real or synthetic. This has raised alarms about potential confusion and deception of internet users, especially leading up to the 2024 elections in the United States and other countries.

YouTube creators must now disclose when their videos include AI-generated or altered content that looks authentic. Failure to do so repeatedly could result in consequences from YouTube, as they will add a special label for viewers to distinguish such content.

The platform announced that the update would be coming in the fall, as part of a larger rollout of new AI policies.

Starting Monday, creators will see a new checklist in the YouTube Creator Studio asking them to identify if their videos contain realistic, AI-generated content.

Starting Monday, creators will see a new checklist in the YouTube Creator Studio asking them to identify if their videos contain realistic, AI-generated content.

YouTube

When a YouTube creator mentions that their video includes AI-generated content, YouTube will include a label in the description stating that it contains "altered or synthetic content" with significant editing or digital generation of sound or visuals. For videos discussing "sensitive" topics like politics, the label will be more prominently displayed on the video screen.

YouTube announced that content produced using their generative AI tools, introduced in September, will also be clearly labeled last year.

YouTube will only ask creators to label AI-generated content that could potentially confuse viewers into thinking it's real. Creators are not obligated to disclose when the AI content is obviously unrealistic or insignificant, like AI-generated animations or minor adjustments in lighting or colors. The platform also states that creators do not need to disclose the use of generative AI for tasks like generating scripts, content ideas, or automatic captions.

Creators who do not properly disclose synthetic content by using the new label may be subject to penalties. These penalties can include having their content removed or being suspended from YouTube's Partner Program, which allows creators to make money from their content.

Editor's P/S:

The new YouTube policy requiring creators to disclose AI-generated content is a significant step towards transparency and combating misinformation. With the increasing sophistication of AI tools, it has become imperative to ensure that viewers can distinguish between real and synthetic content. This policy will help prevent confusion and deception, especially during critical events like elections.

However, it is essential for YouTube to strike a balance between transparency and stifling creativity. The platform should provide clear guidelines to creators on what constitutes AI-generated content that must be disclosed. It should also consider allowing creators to experiment with AI tools while ensuring that viewers are adequately informed. By fostering a responsible and transparent environment, YouTube can harness the potential of AI while protecting viewers from potential harm.