YouTube has confirmed it has been secretly applying artificial intelligence enhancements to some user videos without notifying creators, sparking anger and concern across the platform.
The issue came to light after several well-known YouTubers noticed unexplained changes in their content. Music creator Rick Beato, who has more than five million subscribers, said he first spotted the difference in his own videos. “I was like, ‘Man, my hair looks strange,'” he told the BBC. “The closer I looked, it almost seemed like I was wearing makeup.”
Fellow musician Rhett Shull, with over 700,000 subscribers, went further by publishing a video in August showing what he called “non-consensual AI upscaling.” He compared his original uploads with the versions processed on YouTube, highlighting a smoother, “oil painting” effect. “If I wanted this terrible over-sharpening, I would have done it myself,” Shull said.
YouTube confirms experiment
After months of speculation, YouTube admitted it was running an experiment on select Shorts. Rene Ritchie, the company’s head of editorial and creator liaison, said the tests used “traditional machine learning” to unblur, reduce noise, and improve clarity in videos, similar to smartphone camera processing. He stressed that generative AI was not involved.
YouTube did not disclose how many creators were affected, nor whether users would be able to opt out of the changes.
Growing industry concerns
The revelations have sparked wider debate about consent and authenticity in online content. Some creators accused the platform of disrespecting their work, while others warned the practice could set a precedent for broader AI-driven changes across social media.
Dave Wiskus, CEO of streaming platform Nebula, described the practice as “theft” and “disrespectful.” Meanwhile, many creators pointed out the irony of YouTube modifying authentic videos while cracking down on AI-generated spam.
Industry experts say the controversy highlights growing tension between platforms adopting AI tools and creators seeking control over their own content. Some fear the changes could alter the way audiences perceive original creative work in the future.
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