I think we all know by now that AI is rapidly changing the way content is created online, and nowhere is this more obvious than on YouTube. Every day we see AI-generated video, voiceovers, and virtual presenters. Creators now have a choice of tools that can produce content faster than ever before.
The AI “Faceless” creator channel revolution is now producing tens of thousands of videos, both long and short, every day. And YouTube has been swamped by what has been labelled ‘AI slop’. An endless diet of very repeatable, low-quality content, which often has very little input from the creator. The algorithm then sends this content as recommendations that many would rather not see.
When it comes to AI on YouTube, it would be nice to have a choice.
In response to this, the platform is about to introduce new measures designed to help viewers identify when AI has played a significant role in creating a video. They have announced that creators will be required in future to disclose when their content has been altered or generated using AI. Videos produced by AI will be clearly labelled.
I would say, ‘About time.’ For viewers, it offers greater transparency. And while it has to be said that many AI videos are pretty obvious, it would be good to know beforehand that what you are about to watch is AI or not.
Why Is YouTube Introducing AI Labels?
The rise of AI has brought both an opportunity and also a concern. AI tools can help creators in many ways, but they can also be used to create misleading content. AI-generated footage can make it difficult for some viewers to distinguish between genuine and AI-created material.
However, YouTube is not going to ban AI-generated content, despite all the videos on the platform suggesting that is what they are doing. The reality is, YouTube, owned by Alphabet, parent company of Google amongst others, is full-on promoting its own AI options to creators.
Instead, it is asking creators to be transparent about how they have used AI, particularly when content could be mistaken for real people, events, or authentic recordings. As such, creators will be expected to disclose when a video contains such content.
The direction of travel seems to be moving towards greater transparency, and that’s a good thing. But what will happen if creators fail to disclose? Chances are, they will eventually be caught and then required to comply or face penalties. Ultimately, YouTube always reserves the right to remove content and ban those who break the rules.
What Does This Mean for Viewers?
It should be a good thing.
To see a video clearly labelled, whether it is AI-produced, partially or fully, gives viewers a choice. Seeing an AI label on a video does not mean it is inaccurate or untrustworthy, but it does make it clear as to how the content was produced. Other content, like sponsored and paid promotions, are disclosed, so there is no reason why it should not apply to AI videos.
Ultimately, it is about choice. The fact is that many people do not want to watch AI videos, while others are quite happy to do so. But the real problem is the number of AI-produced videos. AI is now often presented as the quickest and easiest way to make money online (I suspect it isn’t). Many do it for that reason, a desire to make as much money as possible.
Perhaps the next step for YouTube to consider is to give viewers a filter option. Wouldn’t it be nice to simply be able to filter out content that you don’t want to see? You can block channels or simply click a “not interested” option, but that is not the same as a “not interested in AI videos” filter all option.
The Future of Content Creation
I cannot see AI going away. In fact, AI tools will likely become a standard part of content creation for those that are okay with using them. They can add value when used the right way. The challenge is finding the right balance while also protecting the work and copyright of all creators.
YouTube has made a start which should be welcomed, but is it enough, and what about elsewhere?
As a writer and reader, I feel that platforms like Amazon should make it clear on their site if a book is 100% AI produced. That’s different from AI-assisted. They should have an AI category for books that are totally produced by AI. It would give much of the AI slop currently being produced, a place of its own.
If people want to buy it, they could then easily find it. For those that don’t want to see it, it would be easy to avoid. Whether it is YouTube or elsewhere, transparency and choice should be a priority in how content is presented.
That old saying, “the customer is always right” will then determine the popularity, or not, of AI content.
Image by ArtificialGeek_Studio from Pixabay
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