We encourage creators’ innovative and responsible use of content editing or generation tools. At the same time, we recognize that viewers want to know if what they’re watching or listening to is real.
We require creators to disclose AI-generated or altered content that seems realistic. Creators can make this disclosure during the upload process.
Creators must disclose GenAI content that:
- Makes a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t do.
- Alters footage of a real event or place.
- Generates a realistic scene that didn’t actually occur.
- Creates music that’s the main focus of the video.
This could include content that is fully or partially altered or created using AI tools.
AI disclosure requirements and examples
To disclose content that is AI-generated or meaningfully AI-altered, the ‘AI use’ setting is available to creators using YouTube Studio on a computer or mobile device.
After a creator selects this field and uploads content, the content will be labeled as AI generated or altered for viewers.
Examples of GenAI content
The following list includes examples of AI content. AI content can include content that is fully or partially altered or created using any AI audio, video, image creation or editing tools. Realistic AI content and meaningful changes require disclosure, while non-realistic or minor edits don’t. Keep in mind, this isn’t a complete list.
Examples of content creators don’t have to disclose
- Not realistic
- Someone riding a unicorn through a fantastical world
- Green screen used to depict someone floating in space
- Using an AI-generated or altered animation of a missile in a fully animated video
- Minor
- Applying beauty filters
- Color adjustment or lighting filters
- Special effects filters, like adding background blur or vintage effects
- Production assistance, like using generative AI tools to create or improve a video outline, script, thumbnail, title, or infographic
- Caption creation
- Video sharpening, upscaling or repair and voice or audio repair
- Idea generation
- Cloning one’s own voice to create voice overs or dubs
- Gameplay footage from video games
- AI generating or extending a backdrop to simulate a moving car
- Using effects to enhance previously recorded audio
Keep in mind, the above list is not exhaustive.
Examples of content creators need to disclose
- AI generated music
- AI generated extra footage of a real place, like a video of a surfer in Maui for a promotional travel video
- AI generated realistic videos of a match between two real professional tennis players
- Making it appear as if someone gave advice that they did not actually give
- Showing a realistic depiction of a tornado or other weather events moving toward a real city that didn’t actually happen
- Making it appear as if hospital workers turned away sick or wounded patients
- Depicting a public figure stealing something they did not steal, or admitting to stealing something when they did not make that admission
- Making it look like a real person has been arrested or imprisoned
Keep in mind, the above list is not exhaustive.
How to disclose GenAI content
We require creators to disclose AI-generated or altered content that seems realistic. Creators can make this disclosure during the upload process. Music artists can read the following article to learn how to Disclose Gen AI usage for music content.
- Go to YouTube Studio
.
- Follow the steps to upload content.
- In the Attributes section, under “AI use,†tap Yes if your content meets the disclosure requirements or No if not.
- Continue to select other video details.
Labels for AI content
If creators select “Yes†to indicate that their content is realistic and generated by AI or meaningfully altered with AI, we’ll add a label to their video.
Label on the video player for music or photorealistic AI content
For AI-generated music or content that is photorealistic, a label in the video player may also appear.
Label in the expanded description field
Labels may appear in the expanded description for non-music AI-generated audio or AI content that is non-photorealistic or animated.
Automatic detection of AI content
YouTube may automatically apply an AI label on the video player or in the expanded description for:
- Content made using YouTube's GenAI tools
- Content that contains C2PA metadata
- Content that our internal systems detect is Al generated or altered
You will receive a notification in YouTube Studio if an AI label has been automatically applied on or below the video player.
If our systems make an error, creators will have the ability to change AI disclosure in most cases by selecting No in the AI disclosure survey under “Attributes†in YouTube Studio. The notification in YouTube Studio will remain until the creator updates their disclosure survey.
However, content made with YouTube’s AI tools, content containing C2PA metadata, or content labeled after manual review can not be adjusted.
Risks of not disclosing
Creators who consistently choose not to disclose this information may be subject to manual application of a label, or penalties from YouTube, including removal of content or suspension from the YouTube Partner Program.
Remember, we apply our Community Guidelines to all content on YouTube, including content that is AI generated or altered using AI.