• by Laurie Sullivan , Yesterday

Google's video platform YouTube YouTube experienced backlash after running an experiment on select Shorts to enhance the content, but many creators argued that it changes the artistic intent of the videos without permission.

YouTube liaison Rene Ritchie, YouTube on X called it “upscaling” by using “traditional machine learning technology to unblur, denoise, and improve clarity in videos during processing,” not generative AI (GAI).

He likened it to the type of technology that smartphones use when someone records a video, and defended the experiment by explaining the definition of upscaling.

“Upscaling typically refers to taking one resolution (like SD/480p) and making it look good at a higher resolution (like HD/1080p) This isn't using GenAI or doing any upscaling,” he wrote on X.

Creators were not pleased or impressed with the enhancements of their videos and images. Some wanted to opt out of the experience and some went as far as calling the move dishonest.

Posts replying to Richie called the experiment dishonest and disingenuous, and one character artist who goes by the name of savannahXYZ on X wanted to know how to opt-out because it altered her vision for videos.

A creator who goes by the name I’m Alice @HEYimHeroic posted to the YouTube team that none of her Shorts looked accurate after being uploaded.

“I don't know WHAT you are doing to my videos, but it's presenting several huge issues,” I’m Alice wrote. “The effect is like if my videos were being run through some "AI filter". I need an option to turn this off, NOW. thanks.”

A content creator who goes by the name DeanoSauruzRex, and is also a Kick and Twitch streamer, argued that it is still AI --“It walks and sounds like a duck and I was told that the difference is that THIS is a Goose” --  writing: “The analogy confirms that regardless of its outside description it’s still AI, the same way a Duck and Goose belong to the [Anatidae] family, is the same way machine learning and GenAI belong under the same umbrella.”