YouTube has confirmed that it's using artificial intelligence to enhance Shorts videos without notifying creators. The platform's head of editorial and creator liaison, Rene Ritchie, explained that YouTube is testing "traditional machine learning technology" to unblur, denoise, and improve clarity in Shorts, similar to enhancements built into modern smartphones.
However, this move has raised concerns among creators, who feel that YouTube's decision to alter their videos without consent undermines trust and authenticity. Some creators argue that even small changes can distort reality and blur the line between authentic content and AI manipulation. They want control over how their content appears online, and YouTube's automated edits are seen as a threat to this control.
Musician Rick Beato recently noticed that his face looked subtly altered in a video, with smoother skin and hair. Guitarist Rhett Shull also posted a video showing what he called non-consensual AI upscaling, with his face and clothing appearing overly smooth. These examples highlight the potential risks of AI-driven video enhancements and the importance of transparency and creator control.
YouTube stresses that its experiment uses traditional machine learning, not generative AI, to improve video quality. However, the platform hasn't clarified whether creators will be able to opt out of these changes or if the feature will be expanded platform-wide. As AI technology continues to evolve, it's essential for platforms like YouTube to balance innovation with creator concerns and maintain transparency in their content moderation practices.
