In the recently released annual letter, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan referred to artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the company's four major "big bets" for 2025. Mohan mentioned that YouTube is actively investing in AI tools for creators, which include features for video ideas, thumbnail creation, and language translation.
Notably, the translation feature will be rolled out this month to all creators participating in the YouTube Partner Program, while another AI feature will be able to recognize user age to tailor appropriate content and recommendations for them.
Over the past year, YouTube has also launched a series of features to help creators generate images and video backgrounds, and has added options for adding music to short videos.
Although introducing AI into the video production process has sparked some controversy, with some believing that AI-generated content will dilute YouTube's value and lead to an influx of low-quality AI content, others argue that AI will serve as an assistive tool in video production rather than a replacement for creativity.
Additionally, YouTube's AI tools also help creators expand their audience, including an automatic dubbing feature that allows creators to easily translate their videos into multiple languages. Mohan stated in the letter that the automatic dubbing feature will be available this month to all creators participating in the YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube also announced plans to invest in tools to detect and control the use of AI on the platform. This includes expanding a pilot project in collaboration with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) aimed at providing more people access to technology that identifies and manages AI-generated content, especially content involving their likeness. Last fall, YouTube announced a new set of AI detection tools designed to protect creators, including artists, actors, musicians, and athletes, from having their likeness (such as faces and voices) replicated and used in other videos. YouTube stated that the existing content identification system will be enhanced to detect simulated faces or voices generated by AI tools.
Mohan also mentioned that this year, YouTube will deploy machine learning technology to estimate user age to better present suitable content and recommendations. However, he did not disclose how this technology would determine user age or what measures would be taken if AI makes incorrect judgments. In fact, social media services like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have long been using age verification technologies.
In addition to AI, Mohan noted that other major bets for YouTube in 2025 include positioning YouTube as a cultural hub (a position that may have already been taken by TikTok), viewing YouTubers as the new Hollywood, and emphasizing YouTube's importance on television, which has surpassed mobile devices as the primary means of watching YouTube in the United States.
Key Points:
🌟 YouTube's CEO views AI as a crucial strategy for the company in 2025, launching multiple AI tools for creators.
🎤 The new automatic dubbing feature will assist creators in easily translating videos, expected to be fully launched this month.
👶 YouTube will utilize machine learning technology to estimate user age for more personalized content recommendations.