YouTube CEO Neal Mohan says that YouTube will have more AI features by 2026. The goal is to empower creators and address ethical issues related to synthetic media. It uses a new tool to let people make Shorts with an AI-generated version of their face. This plan is a major step toward new digital identities. The company’s blog post says this growth balances innovation and safety. It also backs new laws like NO FAKES.
Developing AI Features for Creator Expression and Protection
The system that lets creators make Shorts content that looks like an AI made it is the most intriguing new AI feature. CEO Neal Mohan said this tool is part of the platform’s “creative frontier.” He didn’t provide technical details or a launch date. Personalized content is powerful, and this move directly addresses the “critical” issue of deepfakes in the digital world.
The company is strengthening its protections to handle these constant risks. YouTube lets creators check new uploads for unauthorized use of their voice or face. Mohan’s support for the NO FAKES Act, which would ban non-consensual synthetic media, is another example of this dual approach of innovation and responsibility, according to The Verge.
The roadmap lists other AI features in testing. A Gemini 3 no-code game development platform lets people make simple games by following text prompts. Next-generation AI-powered music creation tools will give YouTube users more creative options.
AI Features for Platform Integrity and Innovation
YouTube’s 2026 plan includes integrating AI tools into creator toolkits and monitoring content quality. Mohan said the company is improving its spam, clickbait, and “low-quality AI content” systems. This suggests a conscious effort to separate “AI slop” that can worsen user experience from creative and legal AI uses.
The news also showed that many people use AI tools. Mohan reported that 6 million people listened to AI-generated audio for over 10 minutes daily in December. This number, which was posted on an official YouTube blog, shows that more creators and viewers are okay with some AI-driven changes, even though there are known technical issues on other platforms.
YouTube lets users choose how much fake content they see if they’re worried about it. Short videos can be hidden from YouTube search results. As new AI features appear, users can customize their browsing experience.
