YouTube Plans AI Expansion in 2026 While Promising Crackdown on ‘AI Slop’
YouTube will broadly expand AI tools in 2026 while intensifying measures against low-quality synthetic content, aiming to balance creator monetization with viewer experience. CEO Neal Mohan emphasized reducing “AI slop” by building on existing systems that combat spam, clickbait, and repetitive content. YouTube will enhance protections over likeness and identity, giving creators more control over AI-generated uses of their faces and voices, and will label content created with both user and internal AI tools. Harmful synthetic media violating guidelines will be removed. Creators must disclose realistic synthetic or altered media, with YouTube supporting legislation like the NO FAKES Act to protect creative integrity. Despite expected skepticism, Mohan stressed a responsibility to maintain platform quality as AI tools develop. New 2026 features will include AI models allowing creators to generate Shorts of themselves, with AI intended to help connect curiosity and understanding for creators and viewers.
