YouTube has announced new guidelines that require users to indicate whether the videos they upload contain altered or synthetic media. With a focus on “sensitive topics” such as health, news, elections, and finance, YouTube will now label videos to inform viewers about the nature of the content.
Starting Monday, users uploading new videos will be prompted to answer whether their content contains altered elements. They will be asked if their videos make a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t, alter footage of a real event or place, or generate a realistic-looking scene that never occurred. If the answer is yes, YouTube will include a label in the video description stating that it contains altered or synthetic content.
Despite YouTube’s announcement, the new feature was not immediately available when tested by NBC News. However, YouTube intends to make it accessible soon.
This development aligns with the ongoing efforts of tech companies to address the issue of AI-generated misinformation online. YouTube, owned by Google, already hosts numerous videos that are either entirely AI-generated or contain AI-generated elements. Previously, an NBC News investigation discovered videos spreading fake news about Black celebrities, utilizing AI tools. These videos employed AI-generated audio narration and AI-edited photos to manipulate their content.
Under YouTube’s new rules, not all previously identified examples of synthetic content would be labeled accordingly. For instance, using AI text-to-speech technology to create voice-overs would not necessarily require a label unless the goal is to deceive viewers with a realistic but fake voice imitating a real person’s voice.
YouTube plans to rollout altered and synthetic content labels first on its mobile app, followed by its desktop browser and YouTube TV in the coming weeks. Going forward, YouTube may penalize users who consistently fail to disclose this information, and it may add labels to unlabeled content that could confuse or mislead viewers.
While YouTube has faced challenges in combating AI-generated misinformation, its parent company, Google, has released consumer AI products such as the AI image generator Gemini. However, Gemini encountered criticism for producing misleading historical images featuring non-white people in inappropriate situations. In response, Google temporarily limited Gemini’s ability to generate images of people.
FAQs
Q: What types of videos will YouTube label?
A: YouTube will label videos related to “sensitive topics” such as health, news, elections, and finance.
Q: What prompts will users receive for altered content?
A: Users will be asked whether their videos make a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t, alter footage of a real event or place, or generate a realistic-looking scene that never occurred.
Q: When will the new guidelines be introduced on YouTube?
A: The altered and synthetic content labels will first be introduced on YouTube’s mobile app, followed by its desktop browser and YouTube TV in the upcoming weeks.
Q: What happens if users consistently fail to disclose altered or synthetic content?
A: YouTube may penalize users who consistently choose not to disclose this information.
Q: How is YouTube’s parent company, Google, addressing AI-generated content?
A: Google has released consumer AI products such as Gemini, an AI image generator. However, Gemini faced criticism for generating misleading historical images and has temporarily limited its ability to generate images of people.
Sources:
– NBC News
– YouTube Policies
YouTube’s announcement of new guidelines requiring users to indicate whether their videos contain altered or synthetic media is part of a larger effort by tech companies to combat AI-generated misinformation online. YouTube, owned by Google, is a platform that already hosts a significant number of videos that are either entirely AI-generated or contain AI-generated elements. The new guidelines specifically focus on videos related to “sensitive topics” such as health, news, elections, and finance, aiming to inform viewers about the nature of the content they are engaging with.
The process of indicating altered or synthetic content will be prompted for users when they upload new videos. They will be asked if their videos make a real person appear to say or do something they didn’t, alter footage of a real event or place, or generate a realistic-looking scene that never occurred. If any of these elements are present, YouTube will include a label in the video description stating that it contains altered or synthetic content.
However, it should be noted that the new feature was not immediately available when tested by NBC News. YouTube does intend to make it accessible soon, intending to rollout altered and synthetic content labels first on its mobile app, followed by its desktop browser and YouTube TV in the coming weeks.
Under the new rules, not all previously identified examples of synthetic content would be labeled accordingly. For example, using AI text-to-speech technology to create voice-overs would not necessarily require a label unless the goal is to deceive viewers with a realistic but fake voice imitating a real person’s voice. YouTube intends to penalize users who consistently fail to disclose altered or synthetic content and may also add labels to unlabeled content that could confuse or mislead viewers.
In the broader context, Google, as YouTube’s parent company, has also explored AI-generated content through products such as the AI image generator Gemini. However, Gemini faced criticism for producing misleading historical images featuring non-white people in inappropriate situations. In response, Google temporarily limited Gemini’s ability to generate images of people.
These developments demonstrate the challenges platforms like YouTube and Google face in addressing the issue of AI-generated misinformation. Despite the efforts, it remains a complex task to navigate the ethical and practical considerations surrounding the use of AI in content creation and consumption.
Source:
– NBC News
– YouTube Policies
The source of the article is from the blog maltemoney.com.br