YouTube rolls out facial likeness detection for eligible creators

YouTube began rolling out a new AI likeness detection tool on Tuesday, giving eligible members of the YouTube Partner Program the ability to find and request removal of videos that use AI to generate or alter their facial likeness. The first wave, which the company said includes more than 5,000 creators, follows a months-long pilot and initial tests with talent represented by Creative Artists Agency.

The tool appears in YouTube Studio under a Content Detection Likeness tab. Creators must opt in and complete an identity verification process that requires consenting to data processing, scanning a QR code with a smartphone, submitting a photo ID and recording a brief selfie video that asks them to perform randomized actions such as turning their head or looking up. YouTube reviews the ID and video, a verification step the company says typically takes a few days. YouTube then scans uploads for matches to the enrolled creator and surfaces detected videos, including titles, channel, view counts and dialogue snippets. Videos flagged as particularly concerning are labeled High priority.

Once a match is presented, creators have three options: submit a removal request under the platform’s...