YouTube Shorts will use AI to make avatars that look and sound like you

Source: 9to5Google

Overview

YouTube now lets users create an AI avatar that looks and sounds like them for use in Shorts. The feature was previously teased earlier this year (source).

Creation Process

The avatar can be created directly in the main YouTube app or via YouTube Create (Google Play link). The process involves:

1. Recording a “live selfie” of your face and voice by reading a few prompts.
2. Generating a photorealistic avatar that can be placed in Shorts.

• Each prompt‑based generation can be up to 8 seconds long, and you can create multiple clips back‑to‑back.
• The setup only needs to be done once, but you can retake it at any time to update your appearance.

Safety and Privacy

• The selfie video and voice recordings are used solely for avatar creation.
• No one else can use your avatar to create original Shorts.
• You can delete your avatar at any time; YouTube will automatically delete it after 3 years of inactivity. Existing videos that already contain the avatar will remain until those videos are deleted.
• All avatar videos include watermarks and digital labels (e.g., SynthID, C2PA) along with disclosures that the content is AI‑generated.

How to Use the Avatar

1. Open the Create ‘+’ button in the YouTube app.
2. Tap the Gemini spark icon in the corner.
3. Select “Create video” in the top‑left and look for “Make a video with my avatar.”
4. Enter your prompt.

The feature is also accessible via the Remix menu → Reimagine → Add me to this scene.

Availability

• Rolling out globally (outside of Europe) starting today for users 18+.
• Full availability will follow in the coming days.
• You must own an existing YouTube channel to create an avatar.