AI content to be automatically labeled on YouTube — but not on YouTube Kids

Source: Mashable Tech

YouTube upgrades AI labeling system

YouTube is upgrading its AI labeling system, adding a new automatic detection tool as tech companies increase investments in content provenance.

Previously, videos featuring photorealist AI had to be tagged by their creators or face a strike—once tagged as AI, a disclosure label was added to the description. Now, that label is moving up to the top, more prominently displayed next to the video’s title and in the bottom corner of YouTube Shorts.

For the first time since the platform introduced labels in 2024, YouTube will also begin scanning content and automatically adding labels to any unmarked videos with significant AI use. As the platform explained in a recent blog post:

“It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money. In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information.”

Read the full announcement here.

Criticism and concerns about AI content

YouTube has faced criticism for an abundance of AI “slop” and AI‑generated advertising. The platform has removed millions of channels and videos in response, and CEO Neil Mohan has said curbing AI slop is a top priority.

Child‑safety advocates have recently called on the platform to address what they describe as a dangerous proliferation of AI‑generated, animated content aimed at children. In an April letter to Mohan and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, a coalition of child‑advocacy groups urged YouTube to:

• Ban AI‑generated content on YouTube Kids
• Institute clear AI labels for all content
• Implement new parental controls to limit AI videos

YouTube Kids and labeling

YouTube told Mashable it is working on developing labels for YouTube Kids. The company explained that its current labeling approach doesn’t apply to YouTube Kids because of other safety policies, including the lack of descriptions on Kids content.

For now, the new labels only apply to the main YouTube website, not to content found on YouTube Kids. Additionally, the automatic labeling system will only scan for “photorealistic and meaningfully AI‑altered or generated” content—a policy that currently excludes animated or highly stylized video.