YouTube to Roll Out AI Age Verification in US, Enhancing Minor Safety

YouTube, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is set to implement an AI-driven age verification system for its users in the United States. This move comes as part of a broader effort by tech companies to enhance online safety for minors, particularly in response to increasing regulatory pressures. The new system will use AI to analyze various signals, including video search content, typical viewing categories, and account usage duration, to estimate the age of users. Those determined to be under 18 will automatically have youth protection measures applied to their accounts.

The AI system will operate independently of the birthdate provided during account creation. This approach has already been successfully implemented in other markets and is now being rolled out in the U.S. The initial testing phase, scheduled to begin on August 13, will involve a small subset of users. The company aims to gradually expand this feature to a broader user base while closely monitoring its effectiveness.

For users identified as under 18, YouTube will enforce a range of protective measures. These include non-personalized ads, reminders to take breaks, privacy alerts, and reduced recommendations for content that may be problematic if viewed repeatedly. The company has also provided a mechanism for users to verify their actual age through government-issued ID, credit card information, or by uploading a selfie. This verification process is designed to ensure that only users who are 18 or older can access age-restricted content.

The implementation of this AI-driven age verification system is part of a broader trend in the tech industry to comply with age verification regulations in various states and countries. These regulations aim to protect minors from harmful content, including pornography. Advocates for child safety emphasize the importance of tech companies taking responsibility for age verification to create a safer online environment for young users.

YouTube has also acknowledged that some creators may experience changes in their youth audience demographics, which could potentially impact their advertising revenue. However, the company estimates that the overall impact on most creators will be minimal. This initiative aligns with YouTube's broader strategy to integrate AI more deeply into its platform, as outlined by its CEO earlier this year. Creators can leverage AI tools for various purposes, such as automatic voiceovers, generating video titles, and creating thumbnails.

The company will continue to monitor the performance of the age estimation model and make necessary adjustments before rolling it out more widely. This proactive approach underscores YouTube's commitment to enhancing user safety and compliance with regulatory standards, while also providing creators with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.