YouTube introduces new rules for labeling AI-generated content

YouTube has announced new rules for labeling videos created with artificial intelligence (AI) in an effort to enhance transparency and combat potential misinformation.

Under the new guidelines, creators uploading realistic-looking videos generated with altered or synthetic media, including generative AI, must disclose this information to viewers.

The platform defines realistic content as anything that viewers could easily mistake for an actual person, event, or place. This includes videos featuring synthetic versions of real people's voices, altered footage of real events or places, or significant edits to sound or visuals.

Creators who fail to disclose the use of AI-generated content may face penalties from YouTube. The platform will begin applying labels to videos that lack disclosure, especially if the content has the potential to confuse or mislead viewers.

However, creators will not need to label videos if they only used generative AI for script creation, generating ideas, or automatically generating captions. Additionally, minor alterations such as adjusting colors or applying certain visual effects will not require disclosure.