YouTube on Wednesday said it would expand access to its artificial intelligence (AI) detection tool to politicians and journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company will allow a pilot group of lawmakers and reporters to use its likeness detection feature, which flags AI-generated content that uses a person\u2019s likeness and allows them to request removal if it violates YouTube policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe know that the risks of AI impersonation are particularly high for those in the civic space. But while we are providing this new shield, we\u2019re also being careful about how we use it,\u201d Leslie Miller, YouTube\u2019s vice president of Government Affairs and Public Policy, in a press briefing ahead of Tuesday\u2019s launch, according to TechCrunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
YouTube declined to name the participants in the pilot program. People must provide a video selfie and government identification to enroll in the program, according to a company blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile this tool provides a powerful way to manage unauthorized AI-impersonation, detection does not guarantee removal,\u201d the blog post says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYouTube has a long history of protecting free expression and content in the public interest\u2014including preserving content like parody and satire, even when used to critique world leaders or influential figures. We\u2019ll continue to carefully evaluate these exceptions when we receive requests for removal,\u201d it continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company rolled out the tool in 2024 and was initially available only to creators in the YouTube Partner Program, but said YouTube always intended to expand access to the feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always known that there was a need for this tech to go beyond just creators, and so today, we\u2019re excited to announce that we\u2019re going to expand this pilot to journalists and government officials, and we\u2019re starting with a pilot group so we can learn how this group of users will use it to protect their identities online,\u201d says Amjad Hanif, VP of Creator Products said at the press briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n