YouTube secretly used artificial intelligence to modify creators’ videos without notification or consent, making subtle changes to their appearance[1]. According to Rick Beato, who runs a YouTube channel with over 5 million subscribers, he noticed strange alterations in his videos - his hair looked different and it appeared he was wearing makeup[1:1].
The AI modifications included sharpening skin in some areas while smoothing it in others, defining wrinkles in clothing more clearly, and causing subtle warping of features like ears[1:2]. YouTuber Rhett Shull, who investigated the changes, said “If I wanted this terrible over-sharpening I would have done it myself… I think that deeply misrepresents me and what I do and my voice on the internet”[1:3].
The unauthorized AI enhancements represent a concerning trend where artificial intelligence increasingly mediates reality before it reaches viewers, potentially eroding authentic connections between creators and their audiences[1:4].
I’m sure it’s in the terms and conditions, hence uploaders have no recourse. If not, it’s surely a violation of copyright, at least in the USA where copyright is automatically granted when a work is created.
One solution would be for people to stop uploading to Google platforms until this practice is halted and made opt-in, but that won’t happen. Too many people depend on YT to survive. And lots more desperately want to make it big there.
There are more and more creators which are uploading their content to Odysee (OpenSource), there they also can monetize their content but without ads and other Google crap. Maybe the best alternative to YT.