YouTube Launches New AI Tool To Help Creators Spot Deepfake Videos, How It Works

YouTube has launched a new tool that helps creators find and manage videos that use artificial intelligence (AI) to copy or change their face. The feature is built to stop the fake or misleading videos and protect

the identity of creators. The new AI likeness detection tool is available in YouTube Studio under the content detection section. To use it, creators will first need to complete an identity verification process by submitting a photo ID and a short selfie video."Likeness detection works similarly to Content ID, except that it searches for a person’s likeness rather than copyrighted audio and video content. After you submit a reference of your face through the setup process, our system scans uploads of new videos, which may contain images of other individuals, to identify videos that potentially contain your face," the company said.Once verified, creators will get alerts whenever AI-generated videos featuring their face appear on YouTube. They can see full details such as the video title, channel name, views, and even dialogue snippets. YouTube will also offer a direct option to request the removal of such videos.

Protecting Creator Rights

Apart from detecting AI-altered videos, this tool will also help creators file copyright removal requests if their protected content has been used without permission.YouTube says the feature will first roll out to a select group of creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), especially those who are more likely to face impersonation or deepfake issues. In a statement to The Wrap, YouTube said that the first creators selected to use the feature are those that may have the most immediate use for the tool. All monetided creators will have access by January 2026.

Fighting Misinformation

This move comes as part of YouTube’s broader effort to fight misinformation and deepfake abuse. With AI-generated content is on the rise, the Google-owned platform wants to give creators more control over how their likeness and work are used online.