YouTube to Let Creators Make Shorts Using Their Own AI Likeness
YouTube is preparing to let creators produce Shorts using their own AI likeness, marking its most direct step yet in blending generative AI with short-form video creation.
The update was confirmed by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan in his annual letter, where he said creators will soon be able to generate Shorts that feature AI versions of themselves rather than real footage. Mohan stressed that artificial intelligence is meant to support creativity, not replace it, positioning the tool as a new form of expression rather than a shortcut to mass production.
Shorts have become one of the platform’s biggest growth engines, drawing around 200 billion daily views. While YouTube has not shared technical details on how the AI likeness feature will work, the move suggests a future where creators can produce content more quickly or experiment with new formats without always being on camera.
The good thing is that YouTube is aware of the risks that come with AI-generated faces and voices. The company has already rolled out likeness-detection technology to stop unauthorised use of a creator’s image or voice, and Mohan acknowledged growing concerns around deepfakes and misleading content.
According to Mohan, YouTube is strengthening its systems to limit the spread of low-quality or deceptive AI content, building on existing tools used to combat spam, clickbait, and repetitive videos. The company says these safeguards are critical as AI creation tools become more accessible across the platform.
For creators, the upcoming AI likeness feature signals a new phase for Shorts, one where performance, experimentation, and production speed could matter as much as traditional on-camera presence. YouTube has not announced when the feature will roll out or which creators will get access first.
