YouTube CEO Neal Mohan Unveils AI Strategy for 2026: Creativity, Transparency, and Quality

• YouTube CEO Neal Mohan outlined a four-pillar AI strategy for 2026, focusing on creative expression, transparency, combating 'AI slop,' and enhancing viewer engagement.
• AI is positioned as a tool to lower creative barriers, with over a million channels using YouTube's AI creation tools daily in December; future tools include AI-generated Shorts and music.
• Transparency is key, with YouTube labeling AI-generated content, removing harmful synthetic media, and expanding Content ID to protect creators' likeness.
• The platform aims to combat 'AI slop' (low-quality, repetitive content) by leveraging existing anti-spam systems to reduce its visibility without stifling creative freedom.
• AI will transform viewer engagement through tools like 'Ask' (used by 20M+ users in December) and improved accessibility via autodubbed content, expanding global reach.

Why It Matters: YouTube's 2026 AI strategy aims to foster creativity, ensure transparency, maintain content quality, and enhance viewer experience.