YouTube edits Shorts with AI without consent

BBC reports YouTube quietly uses AI to edit Shorts without notifying creators, prompting questions about consent and platform transparency.

YouTube Edits Creators Videos With AI Without Consent

BBC reports that YouTube has quietly used AI to edit Shorts without informing creators. The edits are described as small and often hard to spot without side by side comparisons, such as sharper wrinkles, smoother skin, or warped ears. Content creators like Rhett Shull note the differences and show that the same video looks different on YouTube and Instagram, with the Shorts version appearing more polished. He says, I did not consent to this.

YouTube has now confirmed an experiment on a limited number of Shorts, using traditional machine learning to unblur, denoise and improve clarity during processing, similar to what a modern smartphone does when recording a video. The company says it aims to provide the best video quality and experience, and will consider creator and viewer feedback as it iterates. It did not specify whether creators will be able to disable the edits, and BBC reporters point out that changing videos without notice could undermine trust in what people see online. The wider backdrop includes reports that Google uses YouTube videos to train its AI models, adding another layer to debates about data use and algorithmic editing.

The issue tests a core question for platforms: who controls the creator’s voice once AI gets involved? If edits happen without clear consent or opt-out options, audiences may start seeing a version of a video that does not reflect the creator’s original intent. That harms both trust and authorial autonomy. At the same time, platforms argue that the edits are tools for quality and viewing experience. The case pushes policymakers to consider clearer rules on consent, transparency, and user rights in AI assisted editing. It also highlights a tension between innovation and accountability on a global stage.

Highlights

As this space evolves, clear rules will shape how creators and audiences navigate AI driven edits.