Uncovering Deepfakes: YouTube’s AI on the Hunt for Impersonations of Top Creators

YouTube Creators Can Now Use AI Detection Feature to Protect Their Likeness

YouTube’s Partner Program members can now take advantage of a new AI detection feature to identify and report unauthorized uploads that use their image without permission. Through this feature, creators can verify their identity and review flagged videos in the Content Detection tab on YouTube Studio. If they come across videos that appear to be unauthorized and AI-generated, creators can request for their removal.

The initial group of eligible creators received notifications via email today, with more creators set to gain access to this feature in the coming months. YouTube has cautioned early users that the feature, currently in the development phase, may mistakenly flag videos that showcase their real face, rather than altered or synthetic versions. This functionality is similar to Content ID, which YouTube uses to detect copyrighted audio and video content.

This AI detection feature was first announced by YouTube last year and underwent testing in December through a pilot program involving talent represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In a blog post, YouTube stated that influential individuals worldwide would be able to utilize this technology to identify and manage AI-generated content that features their likeness, including their facial features, on a large scale.

YouTube and Google, along with other tech companies, are actively developing AI video generation and editing tools. The likeness detection feature is not the only tool being developed to address AI-generated content on the platform. In March, YouTube implemented a policy requiring creators to label uploads containing content generated or modified using AI. Additionally, they introduced strict guidelines regarding AI-generated music that imitates an artist’s unique voice.