News

YouTube Adds New Generative AI Labeling Tool

By Brian Burgess

Published March 18, 2024

YouTube is rolling out a policy for voluntary AI-generated or synthetic content labels for videos and shorts in 2024.

Google will require that YouTube creators disclose AI-generated material in 2024. However, like other creator platforms, the labels will be based on the honor system.

In today’s YouTube announcement, a checkbox will appear during the video uploading and posting process so creators can disclose whether the content is “altered or synthetic” for content that seems realistic. For instance, this includes things like making a real person say or do something they didn’t. It would also include altering footage of real events or places that a viewer could mistake for real content or showing a realistic-looking scene that didn’t actually happen.

Examples of AI-Generated Labels

Example of Altered or Synthetic content label on YouTube Short.

One of the examples cited is digitally altering a person’s voice or digitally replacing an individual’s face. Altering real events could include showing a building on fire or altering a cityscape to make it appear different from reality. Generating realistic scenes might include depicting a fictional natural disaster, like a tornado, moving through a real town.

Essentially, if content displayed on YouTube is AI-generated or even images manipulated with Photoshop, the labeling tool would need to be included so viewers can easily distinguish between what is real and fake.

Like other platforms, such as TikTok, which has introduced labels for AI-generated content, YouTube’s labels are voluntary. Thus, creators establish trust with their audiences.

AI and Synthetic Labels on YouTube

The AI-generated or synthetic content labels will roll out across YouTube formats in the coming weeks. You will see the new labels across YouTube Videos and Shorts. The labels will start with the mobile app, followed by YouTube’s desktop platform. It’s also important to mention that even if a creator doesn’t voluntarily include the AI labels, YouTube reserves the right to add them to the videos for sensitive topics like health, elections, and finance.