YouTube has announced updates to its AI content labelling system, including automatic tagging of videos that make 'significant' use of photorealistic AI. The platform will now apply labels directly below the video player for long-form content and as an overlay on Shorts, moving from the previous location in the expanded description.
Starting this week, YouTube's internal detection system will automatically label videos if creators fail to disclose realistic AI use. The labels will be permanent for content created with YouTube's own AI tools (such as Veo or Dream Screen) or containing C2PA metadata indicating full AI generation. Creators can dispute incorrect labels via YouTube Studio, but permanent labels cannot be removed.
YouTube emphasised that the labels are purely informational and do not affect recommendations or monetisation. 'The goal here is context at a glance,' said Rene Ritchie, YouTube head of editorial and creator liaison. For content deemed unrealistic or slightly altered, disclosures will remain in the expanded description.
The move follows YouTube's earlier expansion of its likeness-detection programme, which allows creators to request removal of unauthorised AI-generated content using their facial likeness. The updates aim to balance transparency with creator control, as stated in YouTube's blog post.
