YouTube Develops Tool to Allow Creators to Detect AI-Generated Content Using Their Likeness
One of the side effects of generative artificial intelligence tools proliferating is a surge of misuse. Actors, musicians, athletes, digital creators and others are seeing their likenesses digitally copied or altered, sometimes for less-than-noble reasons.
The video platform YouTube says that it is developing new tools to tackle those problems, as well as the issue of AI companies attempting to scrape its content.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Olympics Push Peacock (and Overall TV Use) to Rare July Bump
Rhett & Link Say They "Took a Big Creative Risk" With New Comedy Series 'Wonderhole'
In a blog post published Thursday morning, YouTube announced a pair of tools meant to detect and manage AI-generated content that uses their voice or likeness. The first tool, a “synthetic-singing identification technology” that will live within its existing Content ID system, and will “allow partners to automatically detect and manage AI-generated content on YouTube that simulates their singing voices.”
The company says that it is refining the tech, with a pilot program planned for early 2025.
The second tool, which is still in development, “will enable people from a variety of industries—from creators and actors to musicians and athletes—to detect and manage AI-generated content showing their faces on YouTube.” The company did not indicate when it thinks it will be ready to roll out.
It is not immediately clear what creators will be able to do with the new tools, though Content ID gives rightsholders a menu of options, from pulling it down, removing rights-impacted content, or splitting ad revenue.
YouTube is leaning into AI, releasing new tools like Dream Screen and a tool that uses AI to help creators come up with ideas for videos, but is is also leaning into the tech to help identify misuses.
And the platform is also grappling with the insatiable demand for training data from AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. YouTube notes that it is a violation of its terms to scrape its data, and will fight efforts to do so. However, it also adds that some of its creators may have their own views on the subject, and is planning tools that would let creators have more say in how third-parties use their data.
“As AI evolves, we believe it should enhance human creativity, not replace it,” the company wrote in the blog post. “We’re committed to working with our partners to ensure future advancements amplify their voices, and we’ll continue to develop guardrails to address concerns and achieve our common goals.”
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023
Men in Blazers, Hollywood’s Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Sign up for Hollywoodreporter's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.