What’s Happening?
YouTube is giving creators the ability to opt in to share their videos with companies working on artificial intelligence. This means you can now decide if your content contributes to training AI models developed by companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and many more.
From your YouTube Studio dashboard, you’ll see a list of 18 top AI technology companies, including names like IBM, Adobe, and Nvidia. You can handpick which companies you want to allow access or select “All third-party companies” if you’re feeling generous.
Why Does This Matter?
This update is a win for creators. It offers control over how your hard work is used, a crucial step forward in the ever-growing field of AI model training. AI technology companies are constantly searching for new data to improve their artificial intelligence tools, and this feature puts creators in the driver’s seat.
Imagine having a say in shaping new AI technology—from smarter virtual assistants to groundbreaking artificial intelligence courses. It’s a partnership opportunity between creators and companies involved in artificial intelligence that could redefine content monetisation.
How Does It Work?
- Opt-In Option: Creators and rights holders can enable the “third-party training” setting in their YouTube Studio dashboard.
- Transparency Matters: YouTube will publicly list videos used for training through its Data API, so everything stays clear.
- Control Is Key: By default, the setting is off. So, no need to worry if you’re not ready to train an AI model on your content.
Who Can Use This Feature?
The feature is currently rolling out to creators with administrator access to YouTube Studio Content Manager. If you’re eligible, you’ll see a notification soon.
Why This Move Is Groundbreaking
AI training is no longer a hidden process. YouTube is stepping up to protect creator rights and promote responsible AI practices. This shift comes at a time when companies working on artificial intelligence are under increasing scrutiny for using content without proper authorisation.
And guess what? This isn’t just about limiting unauthorised use. It’s about collaboration. Imagine your content being used by AI contractors to build new AI software that revolutionises how we interact with technology.
A Word on Google’s Role
While YouTube is giving creators control over third-party AI training, Google itself will continue using some YouTube content for training its own AI models under existing agreements. This aligns with their Terms of Service but also highlights the ongoing debate about fair use and transparency in AI.
What’s Next?
This update is just the beginning. YouTube plans to expand its AI features to give creators even more ways to collaborate with companies working on artificial intelligence. Future updates may include direct downloads of videos for authorised companies and new AI detection tools to safeguard creators' content.
