YouTube is developing new technologies to help creators manage AI-generated content that uses their likeness, addressing the challenges and opportunities AI presents in content creation.

The video platform is introducing synthetic singing identification technology within its Content ID system. This feature will allow partners to automatically detect and manage AI-generated content that simulates their singing voices. 

YouTube plans to refine this technology with partners and launch a pilot program in early 2025.

Additionally, the company is working on technology to enable creators, actors, musicians, and athletes to detect and manage AI-generated content featuring their faces on the platform. 

This development builds on recent privacy updates to create tools for managing AI depictions on YouTube.

These new capabilities expand on YouTube’s existing Content ID system, which has processed billions of claims annually since 2007. The system gives rightsholders control over their catalogs while generating revenue through content reuse.

Under user agreements, YouTube uses uploaded content to improve its services, including AI applications. The company emphasizes that third parties’ unauthorized access to creator content violates its Terms of Service.

The company is also introducing AI-powered creative tools, such as the experimental Dream Screen for Shorts. 

“As AI evolves, we believe it should enhance human creativity, not replace it,” Amjad Hanif, VP of Creator Products at YouTube, wrote in a blog post. 

“We’re committed to working with our partners to ensure future advancements amplify their voices, and we’ll continue to develop guardrails to address concerns and achieve our common goals,” Hanif added.

While these tools offer new creative possibilities, YouTube stresses that all content, including AI-generated material, must adhere to Community Guidelines. Creators retain responsibility for ensuring their published content meets these standards.

AI Controversy on YouTube

A recent Proof News investigation revealed that major tech companies have used content from thousands of YouTube videos to train AI models without the creators’ knowledge or consent. 

Prominent tech firms, including Anthropic, Nvidia, Apple, and Salesforce, utilized subtitles from over 170k YouTube videos sourced from over 48k channels.

Consequently, YouTuber David Millette filed a class action lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging unauthorized use of video content for AI training.