Does AI Make Creation Free? The Light and Shadow of YouTube's Advancements in "Cloning, Automatic Dubbing, and Game Generation"

"AI Slop is Scary, But We Will Increase AI Features"—The Aim Behind This Seemingly Contradictory Declaration

The keyword YouTube has set for 2026 can be summed up as "accelerate creation with AI while excluding AI-derived 'poor quality.'" Engadget highlighted a new feature that symbolizes this—a preview that allows creators to make Shorts using their "AI-generated likeness." Although the specific mechanism and start date have not been disclosed, this move aims to "lower the barrier to posting" as the platform shifts its focus towards shorter content.

However, in the same announcement, CEO Mohan also addressed the "serious" issue of deepfakes, emphasizing the need for rights protection and stronger countermeasures. In other words, YouTube has entered a phase where it must simultaneously increase what can be created with AI while also placing the risk of AI misuse at the forefront.

The Highlight: "AI Likeness for Shorts"—What Will Change?

The most talked-about aspect this time is the ability to create Shorts using your AI-generated likeness. YouTube has already introduced AI-based features for Shorts (e.g., generated backgrounds), but when it delves into "the person themselves," the range of convenience and risk expands significantly.

The expected uses are straightforward.

• Even in situations where it's difficult to show your face, you can maintain a "personal narrative."

• Reduce the effort of filming and editing, allowing for increased posting frequency and experimentation.

• Combine with multilingual deployment (automatic dubbing, etc.) to easily expand to overseas audiences.

On the other hand, it is essential that the likeness is under "the consent and management of the person" and that viewers can understand this. YouTube has also indicated a policy of requiring "labeling that it is AI-generated" and "disclosure of realistic alterations and composite content," suggesting that the operation of likeness Shorts will likely be in this context.

Why Talk About "AI Slop" Countermeasures Simultaneously

As AI-generated videos increase, naturally, so does the "mass-produced low quality." YouTube itself has named the spread of "AI slop (low-quality AI-generated content)" as a concern and stated that it will build up countermeasures against spam, clickbait, and repetitive low-quality content. The Engadget article also touches on the trend of strengthening existing countermeasure systems.

The key point here is that YouTube is not taking an "AI-generated = instant NG" stance but is clearly drawing a line based on "quality and harm." The Guardian, citing another study, reports the possibility that a significant proportion of "AI slop" is infiltrating the recommendations for new users, creating an environment where the platform's algorithms and revenue structures are easily questioned. Therefore, the more YouTube pushes AI features, the more it bears the responsibility to protect the "viewing experience where viewers can safely spend their time."

AI Implementation Already Underway: Automatic Dubbing, Ask, and the "Expansion" of Shorts

The discussion about 2026 is not just a "preview." YouTube has already begun incorporating AI into the viewing experience. For example, regarding AI automatic dubbing, there is mention of specific usage situations, such as "an average of 6 million people watched 'for more than 10 minutes' daily in December" (with examples of competitors' similar features having quality issues also being cited).

Additionally, the "Ask" feature, which allows you to ask questions about the content while watching, had over 20 million users in December alone. Shorts itself is described as being viewed "200 billion times a day on average," and a policy of integrating other formats, such as image posts, into the Shorts feed has been indicated. The short-form-centric experience is increasingly shifting towards a "comprehensive feed" rather than just a "video app."

Another AI: Text-to-Game and Music Generation Tools

AI likeness is not the only highlight. YouTube is also experimenting with "creating games from text prompts," and Engadget reports on Playables Builder, which uses Gemini 3 to "create small games without coding." If this spreads to general creators, it could create a pathway where Shorts, streaming, and games "circulate within the same app."

Furthermore, there is a suggestion of "tools for experimentation" in the music domain, painting a picture of videos, games, and music being connected through AI.

Regulation and Rights: The "Political Move" Indicated by Supporting the NO FAKES Act

The biggest factor that makes the likeness feature controversial is that it directly connects to the "persona" of the individual's face and voice. YouTube has shown support for legal frameworks, including the "NO FAKES Act," and has taken a stand against unauthorized digital replicas (impersonation of voice and appearance). YouTube's blog clearly states its support for the NO FAKES Act, submitted in 2025, and its concern about the harm caused by unauthorized digital replicas.

At the same time, YouTube also mentions that it will prepare new tools that allow creators to detect and manage unauthorized use of their likeness, as an "extension of Content ID." If this does not function, likeness Shorts could become "fuel for controversy" rather than "convenient."

Reactions on Social Media: A Mix of Welcome and Rejection, "Won't It Just Increase Slop?"

Reactions on social media are split between **"seems convenient" and "enough already."**

1) Expectations: Those Who Can "Run" YouTube as a Job Are More Positive

On LinkedIn, there are voices welcoming safety for families and minors and AI-generated labeling, as well as expectations for strengthened brand and creator matching. From the so-called "business use" perspective, feature additions are likely to be seen as a tailwind.

2) Concerns: AI Likeness Could Become a "Destruction Device for Authenticity"

Meanwhile, in Reddit's anti-AI community, there is strong rejection of the announcement itself. For example, within threads, there are reactions like “We are so cooked” (we're done for) and criticisms that likeness Shorts seem like a rehash of existing services.

“We are so cooked”
“’Shorts using their own likeness’ … So just Viggle AI-like videos?”

Additionally, there are concerns that AI utilization could lead to "abandonment of effort" or "the disappearance of low-budget charm," viewing AI likeness not as "democratization of creation" but as "homogenization and hollowing out."

3) Distrust: Are the Numbers Just "Inflated"?

The more YouTube releases numbers like "over 1 million daily channels using AI tools in December," the more skepticism arises on social media about whether those counts are valid. On Reddit, there's even sarcasm suggesting that they might be inflating the numbers by including "elements that can't be turned off," like AI-generated comment responses.

“How much do you want to be they’re looping in the ai generated comment responses…”

So How Do Viewers Protect Themselves? The Practical Solution of "Avoiding Shorts"

Interestingly, while the topic of AI likeness Shorts is gaining traction, there is a certain number of people who simply want to "avoid Shorts altogether." Engadget also reports that a filter has been added to exclude Shorts from YouTube search results. Once likeness Shorts begin, the demand for such avoidance measures might increase even further.

Conclusion: YouTube in 2026—More Than "Increasing AI," It's About "Designing Trust"

In 2026, YouTube is poised to make AI an "ordinary tool" for both creators and viewers, with AI likeness, automatic dubbing, question features, game generation, and music experimentation.

 
However, as concerns about AI slop and deepfakes amplify, the platform must demonstrate "transparency," "rights protection," and "quality assurance" with concrete measures. Supporting the NO FAKES Act and the mechanism for detecting likeness are foundational steps for this, but ultimately, the evaluation will boil down to whether "users can watch with peace of mind and creators can work with confidence."

Source URL

• Engadget: "YouTube CEO promises more AI features in 2026" - Covers AI likeness Shorts, deepfake issues, AI slop countermeasures, automatic dubbing view data, and Shorts exclusion.
  https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-ceo-promises-more-ai-features-in-2026-162409452.html?src=rss

• YouTube Official Blog: "From the CEO: What’s coming to YouTube in 2026" - Primary information on 2026 priorities (AI likeness for Shorts, image post integration, Ask, automatic dubbing, AI slop countermeasures, protection measures, etc.)
  https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/the-future-of-youtube-2026/

• 
  YouTube Official Blog: "YouTube supports the NO FAKES Act" - Background of supporting the NO FAKES Act and awareness of issues regarding "unauthorized digital replicas." https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-supports-the-no-fakes-act/

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  The Verge: "YouTubers will be able to make Shorts with their own AI likenesses" - Supplementary information such as "planned to be available within 2026 / details not yet announced" for AI likeness Shorts. https://www.theverge.com/news/864610/youtube-shorts-ai-likenesses-neal-mohan-2026

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  LiveMint: "Clone yourself: YouTube plans to let creators make Shorts…" - Organizes AI slop countermeasures and Shorts feature additions (image posting, parental timer, etc.). https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/clone-yourself-youtube-plans-to-let-creators-make-shorts-using-their-own-ai-digital-twin-11769051594652.html

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  The Guardian: "More than 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are ‘AI slop’, study finds" - External research and estimates on the reality of AI slop (context reinforcement). https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/27/more-than-20-of-videos-shown-to-new-youtube-users-are-ai-slop-study-finds

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  Reddit (r/antiai) Thread: Examples of reactions on social media, such as backlash and concerns about the announcement of AI likeness Shorts. https://www.reddit.com/r/antiai/comments/1qj5ncm/ladies_and_gentlemen_youtube_is_officially_dead/

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  Neal Mohan's LinkedIn Post (including comments): Examples of positive reactions on social media, such as expectations for safety, AI-generated labeling, and brand collaboration. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/neal-mohan_as-we-enter-2026-the-lines-between-creativity-activity-7419746559514558464-k4wB