YouTube plans to allow creators to use AI-generated versions of themselves in Shorts, while introducing disclosure rules and quality controls, as the platform expands AI tools without compromising viewer trust and content standards.
YouTube is preparing to expand the use of artificial intelligence on its platform by allowing creators to publish Shorts featuring AI-generated versions of their own likeness. The announcement was made by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan in his annual letter, where he outlined the company’s evolving approach to AI-driven creativity.
Mohan said the initiative is aimed at giving creators new forms of expression, stressing that AI is intended to enhance creativity rather than replace human creators. While the company has not yet shared details on the launch timeline or technical implementation, the feature is expected to enable creators to generate realistic digital representations of themselves for use in short-form videos.
Transparency, control and creator safeguards
YouTube said content created using its AI tools will continue to be clearly labelled. Creators will also be required to disclose when videos contain realistic altered or synthetic elements, reinforcing transparency for viewers. According to Mohan, the platform is developing new controls that will allow creators to manage how their likeness is used in AI-generated content, addressing concerns around misuse and identity protection.
The move comes amid growing debate around so-called “AI slop,” or low-effort, repetitive content produced using generative tools. Mohan acknowledged these concerns, noting that while YouTube has historically avoided restricting creative formats, it also carries responsibility for maintaining a high-quality viewing experience.
To limit the spread of low-quality AI-generated material, YouTube said it is strengthening existing systems used to combat spam, clickbait and repetitive content. These measures are designed to ensure that AI-driven content does not overwhelm feeds or dilute viewer engagement.
Shorts growth and new AI features
Shorts continue to be a major growth engine for the platform, now averaging around 200 billion views daily, Mohan said. Alongside AI avatars, YouTube plans to introduce additional features for Shorts, including image-based posts within the feed.
The company is also expanding parental controls, allowing parents to manage how much time children and teenagers spend watching Shorts, including setting usage limits down to zero.
Beyond Shorts, YouTube is developing new AI tools that will enable users to create games using simple text prompts. The platform already offers several AI-powered features, such as AI-assisted editing, automatic dubbing in more than 20 languages, and AI-generated backgrounds.
Mohan added that over 20 million users have already engaged with YouTube’s AI-powered “Ask” tool, which allows viewers to query video content directly, signalling growing adoption of AI-enhanced viewing experiences.
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