YouTube will soon require content creators to disclose if their uploaded video contains AI-generated material.
YouTube Works Toward Responsible AI Use
In a company announcement, YouTube announced its plans to introduce updates that will promote responsible AI use among creators and viewers. For one, the company highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem of information within the platform. With the upcoming disclosure requirements and content labels, YouTube hopes to lessen videos that can potentially mislead and harm others.
"When creators upload content, we will have new options for them to select to indicate that it contains realistic altered or synthetic material," the VPs of product management, Jennifer Flannery O'Connor and Emily Moxley stated. This will involve videos that portray events that never happened or content showing that someone said or did something they did not do.
YouTube also emphasized that such labels bear significance when discussing sensitive topics like elections, conflicts, or public health crises. Starting next year, creators who will not disclose and label their AI-generated content may be subject to content removal, suspension from the YouTube Partner Program, or other penalties. The company assured that it will work closely with the creators to explain the new policies.
YouTube to Give Removal Options for Creators, Artists, and Viewers
Aside from labels, the company is also working on creating a safer space for creators, artists, and viewers. In the coming months, YouTube will be enforcing a removal request for AI-generated or other synthetic content that copies an identifiable individual's face or voice. However, not all content will be subject to removal as the company will consider a variety of factors during the evaluation process.
In addition, YouTube's music partners will be able to request for removal of AI-generated music content that copies an artist's unique singing or rapping voice. The company will consider the request if the content is "subject of news reporting, analysis, or critique of the synthetic vocals." However, this feature will be first available to labels or distributors that represent artists who are participating in YouTube's AI music experiments. Regardless, the company promised that it would expand access in the following months.
"As we continue to develop new AI tools for creators, our approach remains consistent with how we've tackled some of our biggest responsibility challenges: we believe in taking the time to get things right, rather than striving to be first," the company wrote.
