YouTube has begun experimenting with subtle changes on certain user-uploaded videos without informing creators, according to a recent report by The Atlantic.
Visual Alterations
Multiple YouTube users have noticed that some of their Shorts appear visually altered, showing clearer or sharper images than they originally uploaded. The changes, they claim, were made without any direct edits from their end.
When contacted by The Atlantic, YouTube spokesperson Allison Toh confirmed the platform is running a test on select Shorts, applying “image enhancement technology to sharpen content.” She emphasized that these updates are not generated using generative AI, but instead rely on “traditional machine learning” to reduce blur, remove noise, and improve clarity.
While YouTube has described the changes as a non-AI enhancement experiment, the lack of transparency has sparked concern among creators. It’s currently unclear whether the visual modifications are visible to all users or just part of a limited A/B test group. The company did not disclose the specific technologies being used or whether creators can opt out.
YouTube has recently launched tools that allow users to animate still photos and apply AI-powered effects like underwater movement or twin duplication. The timing has led some to speculate that the enhancements are part of a larger strategy to normalize synthetic aesthetics on the platform.
One commenter on YouTube suggested, “They’re training us, the audience, to get used to the AI look and eventually view it as normal.”
YouTube is not alone in exploring ways to integrate AI more deeply into its ecosystem. Meta has also launched an “AI Studio” tool that encourages users to create and publish chatbot personalities on Facebook and Instagram. Meta has publicly stated it expects AI entities to eventually operate alongside human users on its platforms.