YouTube has released new data on how creators are using artificial intelligence, revealing that most video makers are now bringing AI into their workflows. The findings come from a study commissioned by the platform as part of its Culture & Trends series, and they suggest generative tools are becoming a regular part of how content gets made.
NRG surveyed nearly 700 people aged 14 to 44 who had posted a video online in the past 12 months. According to the report, 72% of these uploaders say they use AI on videos or images. Notably, 61% of respondents said they were interested in using AI to insert themselves into video content, making it the most popular use among the group.
Creators Turn AI Into a Personal Stage
YouTube says adding yourself to AI content lets people act as the director of their own lives. Creators are using the tools for digital costume changes, such as a gym teacher appearing as a doctor, judge or superhero for his students. Others place themselves in cinematic scenes, duplicate themselves for content creation, or turn personal sketches into photoreal mock-ups. Aspiring fashion designers are bringing concepts to life, while some creators are dropping themselves into video game scenes.
The report also points to a new class of “AI auteurs” who are building entire cinematic universes from their imagination, reaching a level of visual quality that was once out of reach for independent creators.
Concerns Over Misinformation and AI Slop
Not everyone sees the trend as harmless. Inserting generative versions of people into clips could fuel misinformation or misleading depictions. There is also the challenge of balancing a growing flood of low-quality AI content against the smaller share of genuinely valuable storytelling. Whether the creative gains outweigh these risks remains an open question for the platform.