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YouTube Expands ‘Likeness’ Detection Technology to Top Creators
YouTube has announced the expansion of its pilot program aimed at identifying and managing AI-generated content that mimics the likeness, including faces or voices, of popular YouTubers. The company is also reaffirming its support for the NO FAKES ACT legislation, which seeks to address the growing issue of deepfakes and other AI-generated replicas.
YouTube’s “likeness” detection technology was first introduced in collaboration with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) back in December 2024. This new feature builds upon the company’s existing Content ID system, which is designed to detect copyrighted material in user-uploaded videos. The updated technology allows for automatic detection of AI-generated content that uses likenesses, without relying on human moderators.
YouTube has selected a small group of top creators, including MrBeast, Mark Rober, Doctor Mike, the Flow Podcast, Marques Brownlee, and Estude Matemática, to participate in this pilot program. These creators will work closely with YouTube’s team to refine and scale the technology over the coming year.
While YouTube didn’t provide a timeline for when the likeness detection system will be publicly available, it has promised to expand the feature to more creators throughout 2025. The company believes that giving individuals the ability to request the removal of altered or synthetic content that mimics their likeness is essential in protecting their rights and privacy.
In addition to the pilot program, YouTube has also made changes to its privacy process, allowing users to ask for the removal of AI-generated content that uses their image or voice. The platform has also added new tools that enable individuals to detect and manage how AI is used to depict them on the site.
YouTube’s move comes as lawmakers in Washington are working to address the issue of deepfakes and other AI-generated replicas through legislation.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/09/youtube-expands-its-likeness-detection-technology-which-detects-ai-fakes-to-a-handful-of-top-creators/
