New delhi: In a significant move to combat the spread of misinformation, YouTube has announced a new policy requiring creators to label any content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This decision comes as a response to the growing use of AI tools in creating videos that could potentially deceive viewers with doctored visuals or audio.
The platform’s initiative reflects its commitment to transparency, urging creators to adhere to the self-label mandate. YouTube’s official statement revealed the introduction of a tool within Creator Studio that obliges creators to inform viewers when they are watching content that could be mistaken for reality but is produced with altered or synthetic media, including generative AI technologies.
While the AI label will be applied to both standard videos and YouTube Shorts, the platform clarified that content modified with beauty filters, background blurs, or animation-like edits will not require special labeling.
The rise of AI-generated content has not only raised concerns among social media platforms but also prompted government bodies to call for proactive measures from industry giants like Meta, YouTube, and Google. With critical elections approaching in the US and India, there is an urgent need to ensure that AI is not misused to disseminate heavily manipulated content aimed at influencing voters.
YouTube acknowledges the challenges it faces in monitoring such content but remains optimistic that these new measures will help manage the AI era more effectively. The platform’s efforts are crucial in preventing the escalation of a digital conflict fueled by misinformation.