93
YouTube secretly used AI to edit people's videos. The results could bend reality - United States (www.europesays.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/privacy@programming.dev
11 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

YouTube secretly used artificial intelligence to modify creators' videos without notification or consent, making subtle changes to their appearance[^1]. According to Rick Beato, who runs a YouTube channel with over 5 million subscribers, he noticed strange alterations in his videos - his hair looked different and it appeared he was wearing makeup[^1].

The AI modifications included sharpening skin in some areas while smoothing it in others, defining wrinkles in clothing more clearly, and causing subtle warping of features like ears[^1]. YouTuber Rhett Shull, who investigated the changes, said "If I wanted this terrible over-sharpening I would have done it myself... I think that deeply misrepresents me and what I do and my voice on the internet"[^1].

The unauthorized AI enhancements represent a concerning trend where artificial intelligence increasingly mediates reality before it reaches viewers, potentially eroding authentic connections between creators and their audiences[^1].

[^1]: BBC - YouTube secretly used AI to edit people's videos. The results could bend reality

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 17 points 1 year ago (1 child)

Yet some disturbed YouTubers say it gives their content a subtle and unwelcome AI-generated feeling.

I wonder if this is an attempt at smoothing out the differences between authentic video and AI-generated video from the other side. Secretly pass authentic videos through an AI filter not to improve them in any way, but to give them AI-generated characteristics. Then when purely AI-generated videos start to show up side-by-side with authentic content on the platform, it becomes harder to differentiate from human-created content.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •