YouTube admits to testing video enhancements using machine learning—but creators say they were never informed.
Some YouTube creators have noticed that their Shorts videos look different. Faces appear smoother, and the video quality seems enhanced. However, these changes were made without their permission.
YouTube confirmed that it’s testing a feature that automatically improves video clarity using machine learning. But many creators are concerned.
What Creators Are Saying
- Creators noticed changes like smoother skin and reduced video noise.
- Musician and YouTuber Rhett Shull compared his Shorts on YouTube to those on Instagram. His YouTube video looked overly smooth—like an oil painting.
- A popular Reddit thread also showed side-by-side video comparisons, claiming YouTube was using AI to upscale Shorts.
- Many creators feel these changes make their content look unnatural or inauthentic.
YouTube Responds
YouTube says it’s running a small experiment. The company explains it uses traditional machine learning (not generative AI) to clean up video quality.
Key Points from YouTube:
- The enhancements include denoising, unblurring, and improving clarity.
- This is similar to what some smartphones already do while recording.
- No generative AI or resolution upscaling is being used, YouTube says.
- Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s creator liaison, clarified this in response to public concern on X (formerly Twitter).
Why Creators Are Concerned
- Lack of Consent: Creators were not told about the enhancements.
- Loss of Control: They feel their original work is being changed without approval.
- Audience Trust: Authenticity matters. Viewers may feel misled if creators appear overly filtered.
“I did not consent to this,” said Rhett Shull.
“If YouTube is changing how my videos look, how can I maintain trust with my audience?”
What This Could Mean
Although YouTube says this is not AI-based editing, the final results look similar to what AI tools can do. The enhancements raise bigger questions about content control, especially when platforms apply changes without asking the creator first.
Quick Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What’s changing | Shorts videos are being automatically enhanced |
| What YouTube says | A small machine learning test, not generative AI |
| Why creators are upset | No consent, reduced control, risk to authenticity |
| Bigger concern | Platforms altering content without user approval |
Even small edits can change how a video feels. When platforms like YouTube enhance videos without asking, it creates a trust issue. Creators want control—and audiences expect authenticity.
To avoid backlash, platforms need to be more transparent. Giving creators the option to turn off enhancements could be a simple fix.
