YouTube was reported to have used AI to alter creators' videos, the official response: this won't be the last time.

Recently, a YouTuber discovered that their short video (Shorts), after being uploaded, was automatically "stolen modified" by the platform into versions with different qualities and effects. After much controversy, YouTube finally admitted that it is conducting an experiment on "AI automatic video correction," and this will not be the last time.

The creator discovered that the video was tampered with by Youtube.

According to a report by Bloomberg, a YouTuber uploaded a Shorts video and found that the version was different from the one he uploaded on Instagram, with characters in the video appearing "plastic-like and unnatural" and "shadows being overly vivid," among other anomalies.

He further compared and deduced that YouTube uses AI technology and secretly modifies video content without informing the creators. The YouTuber stated that this would lead viewers to mistakenly believe that he used AI during production, severely impacting trust.

YouTube acknowledges that it is conducting experiments, but emphasizes that "it is not generative AI".

After the incident was exposed, YouTube creator contact Rene Ritchie posted on X, acknowledging that the company is conducting an experiment on "automatic de-blurring, noise reduction, and clarity enhancement." However, he emphasized that this is not generative AI, but rather a form of "traditional machine learning" similar to automatic beautification on mobile phones, which only makes technical adjustments and does not change the video resolution.

Although YouTube's official statement has clarified the issue, the controversy has not subsided. Many creators believe that the platform's "secretly altering images" behavior has deepened external concerns about AI image manipulation.

AI modification mechanism may be one of the bait for YouTube click traffic.

The Youtuber stated that he has never used AI to create videos, but YouTube's editing actions have led viewers to misunderstand that he relies on AI. Some entertainment industry professionals have also warned that as soon as fans notice AI elements in a video, they will immediately leave comments to protest.

Some creators even doubt that this practice of "secretly modifying images" will turn AI content into a "new generation of clickbait."

The outside world speculates that YouTube wants to shape a "unified aesthetic" and establish an elimination mechanism.

The long-established American magazine "The Atlantic" questions whether YouTube may be deliberately creating a "unified aesthetic," training viewers to get used to AI-modified visuals.

Rolling Stone magazine questioned whether YouTube was also involved in the AI video controversy surrounding Hollywood star Will Smith (Will Smith). In response, a YouTube spokesperson simply stated that the platform did not participate in the case.

But YouTube stated that the starting point of this experiment is to "enhance the viewer experience." However, industry insiders generally believe that YouTube's core goal remains to increase watch time and ad revenue; if it cannot drive traffic, it will be eliminated.

Allow creators to "cancel" AI mechanisms

A week after the video sparked public opinion, Ritchie responded again, stating that YouTube "has heard everyone's opinions" and will provide creators with the option to opt-out of this "de-blurring" feature.

A YouTube spokesperson also added that this is not the first time the platform has conducted "automatic enhancement" during the post-production stage of videos; it just hadn't actively disclosed the details in the past. And this incident is likely not the last.

This article on YouTube was exposed for using AI to alter creators' videos, and the official response was: this won't be the last time. It first appeared on Blockchain News ABMedia.