YouTube announces labels to highlight AI-generated content

YouTube is cracking down on artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content posted on the platform, and as a first step, it has asked creators to disclose when they use AI to modify or generate videos using AI tools. The news comes after the video streaming giant updated its content policy in November 2023 to increase transparency around AI-powered video uploads. The Google-owned platform also revealed that it will add tags on its own when creators post videos on sensitive topics, but not artificial intelligence content tags.

In an announcement issued through blog post “We’re starting to roll out a new tool today that requires creators to share uploaded content when it has been meaningfully altered or synthesized and looks authentic,” YouTube said on Monday. It added that the process of adding disclosures would be Added to the video upload workflow to help creators easily add tags.

YouTube AI tagging workflow
Photo source: YouTube

According to the screenshot shared in the post, creators will find the disclosure on the first page of the upload workflow, just below the paid promotions disclaimer.The title of this new section is change content Ask three questions – does the video make people say or do something they didn’t say or do, does it alter footage of a real event or location, and does it feature a realistic scene that didn’t happen. If the video contains any of these elements, it needs to be marked “Yes” and YouTube will automatically add the tag in the description of the uploaded video.

The tag will be added to a new section in the description titled “How this content was produced,” which will mention “Altered or composited content – sound or visual effects have been significantly edited or digitally generated.” The new tab will appear on both long and short videos. Shorts will also place a more visible label above the channel name. YouTube said viewers will first see the tags on the Android and iOS apps, with them later added to the web interface and TV. For creators, the workflow will first appear on the web interface.

Failure to disclose AI-generated content will also be punished by the video streaming giant. YouTube emphasized that for now, it will give creators time to understand these new requirements, but over time it will introduce penalties including content removal, suspension of the YouTube Partner Program, and more.

Youtube Announce In light of rising deepfakes, it updated its content policy in November 2023 and focused on AI-generated content. It highlighted that it would introduce disclosure tools and an option for viewers to request removal of “content that is artificially generated or otherwise synthesized or altered to simulate an identifiable individual, including their face or voice.” A separate set of rules was also announced to protect the content of music labels and artists.