YouTube mandates disclosure for AI-Generated realistic content creation dates

YouTube has unveiled a new requirement for creators to disclose the use of AI in generating realistic content, aiming to prevent viewers from mistaking synthetically created videos for real ones. The platform will introduce a tool in Creator Studio mandating disclosure when content could be mistaken for genuine, whether depicting individuals, locations, or events. This initiative responds to the challenge posed by advanced generative AI tools, blurring the line between reality and fabrication. With concerns rising over the potential misuse of AI and deepfakes, especially in contexts like the forthcoming U.S. presidential election, this move aims to enhance transparency and trust. This announcement follows YouTube's previous commitment in November to implement updates in AI policies. The new policy excludes the disclosure requirement for clearly unrealistic or animated content and for instances where generative AI aids in production tasks like script generation or automatic captions.

YouTube's focus is on videos featuring the likeness of real individuals, requiring creators to disclose instances of digital alteration like replacing one person's face with another's or synthesizing a voice. Disclosure is also mandatory for content that manipulates real events or locations, such as depicting a fire in a genuine building or simulating major fictional events like tornadoes approaching real towns. Labels will typically appear in expanded descriptions, but for sensitive topics like health or news, more prominent labels will be displayed directly on videos. These labels will gradually roll out across all YouTube platforms, starting with the mobile app and extending to desktop and TV. YouTube intends to enforce compliance by considering measures against creators who consistently fail to use the required labels. Additionally, the company will add labels itself in certain cases where creators haven't done so, particularly if the content could potentially confuse or mislead viewers.