YouTube announces new generative AI features

YouTube announced a slew of artificial intelligence tools for creators to use in a press event Wednesday.

NEW YORK – YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced Wednesday a slate of new artificial intelligence features coming to the platform.

Speaking at a promotional event in Google’s Manhattan office, Mohan said the new generative AI features, which will be introduced at unspecified times throughout the rest of the year, will give “billions of people around the world access to AI” while building on YouTube’s “track record of responsibility.” The features include six-second AI-generated video clips that can be generated and integrated into YouTube Shorts, the platform’s short-form video hub that launched following the success of TikTok, through a feature powered by Google’s DeepMind AI technology. 

NBC News previously reported that generative AI has been used to spread disinformation on YouTube, including channels with millions of video views that churn out misleading and fake news coverage about celebrities. AI-manipulated imagery of celebrities has been used to create misleading thumbnails and push salacious narratives. YouTube removed some of the channels and material after NBC News flagged them for comment.

In response to a question during the event about concerns over AI misuse, Mohan said that AI is foundational to how YouTube works, including its content recommendation algorithm. 

“Everything we build is really about enhancing human creativity,” he said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/youtube-ai-generative-features-date-announcement-rcna171661

---