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The notion that generative AI may be used to produce lifelike video fakes can be unsettling in a society full of false information. especially considering how quickly those films can become viral on websites like YouTube.
It's encouraging to see that YouTube will be implementing new guidelines requiring content producers to identify if films contain "altered or synthetic" material, which includes generative artificial intelligence.
When YouTube initially made this announcement in November, it said that it will be adding tools to let users know when they are watching fake video. The Creator Studio now offers one of those capabilities, allowing uploads to be marked as having created material at the time of submission.
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Here, the aim is for video providers to identify when they submit anything that looks realistic and may be mistaken for actual footage. Hence, even if generative AI was used in the creation process, anything involving fake video, animation, or special effects is completely forbidden.
The flag in the content settings is a straightforward yes/no choice, and the menu explains what YouTube deems to be "altered or synthetic." This includes whether film of actual events has been manipulated, if a genuine person is saying or doing something that never happened, or if the video contains events that appear realistic but actually didn't happen.
YouTube demonstrated a few samples of the labeling that will be applied to videos with AI. One places a disclaimer in the video's description, while the other places a tag above the account name alerting viewers that the video includes edited or fake information.
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The more noticeable label, according to YouTube, will mostly be applied to videos that discuss "sensitive topics," such as news, politics, healthcare, and money. It seems that the description disclaimer will be adequate for others.
There are no clear enforcement methods in place, and YouTube claims it wants to give producers time to get used to the new regulation. It does, however, note that if users repeatedly fail to disclose AI-generated content, YouTube may automatically add those labels — particularly if the video has the potential to mislead and confuse users.
The new labels will go live "in the coming weeks," initially on the YouTube mobile app and then moving on to desktop and television. Thus, pay close attention to such crucial markings, particularly if you're unsure of the veracity of certain stuff. Even while the flag may not be present in every video, it's still important to be aware of what to look for given the likelihood that AI disinformation could gain traction before the year is out.