Image by Leon Bubliz, from Unsplash
YouTube Secretly Used AI To Alter Creators’ Videos Without Permission
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
YouTube has admitted to quietly using AI to alter videos without telling creators, sparking concerns about trust and reality in online content.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Subtle edits included sharpening, smoothing skin, and warping details.
- Creators noticed strange changes.
- YouTube confirmed AI tests on Shorts to “improve clarity.”
“I was like ‘man, my hair looks strange […] And the closer I looked it almost seemed like I was wearing makeup” he said to the BBC , who first investigated this story. he added. At first, he wondered if he was just imagining things. But he wasn’t.
In recent months, YouTube has used AI to sharpen images, smooth skin, and even warp ears in subtle ways. The modifications remain difficult to detect when viewed independently but numerous content creators believe these changes produce an artificial appearance that resembles AI-generated content.
“The more I looked at it, the more upset I got […] If I wanted this terrible over-sharpening I would have done it myself. But the bigger thing is it looks AI-generated. I think that deeply misrepresents me and what I do and my voice on the internet. It could potentially erode the trust I have with my audience in a small way. It just bothers me.” says music YouTuber Rhett Shull, as reported to BBC.
Shull produced a video showcasing these changes:
After months of speculation, YouTube confirmed the edits were part of a test on Shorts. “We’re running an experiment on select YouTube Shorts that uses traditional machine learning technology to unblur, denoise and improve clarity in videos,” said Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s head of editorial and creator liaison, as reported by BBC.
But experts warn it’s more than just a technical tweak. “This case with YouTube reveals the ways in which AI is increasingly a medium that defines our lives and realities,” says Samuel Wooley of the University of Pittsburgh, as reported by BBC.
Wooley adds, “What happens if people know that companies are editing content from the top down, without even telling the content creators themselves?”
Image by World Bank Photos, from Flickr
Airbnb Co-Founder to Redesign U.S. Government Websites
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia was appointed by President Donald Trump to become the first chief design officer of the United States for redesigning federal websites.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- National Design Studio replaces Elon Musk’s DOGE office.
- “America by Design” initiative will run for three years.
- Gebbia shifted from Democratic donor to Trump ally in 2024.
Joe Gebbia will lead a new agency, called the National Design Studio (NDS), which represents a successor to Elon Musk’s now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as first reported by Axios .
Trump signed an executive order on Thursday creating the studio, saying it was “time to fill the digital potholes across our Nation” and to “update the Government’s design language to be both usable and beautiful,” as reported by Business Insider .
The order describes the initiative, branded “America by Design,” as lasting three years. Federal agency chiefs will be required to consult with Gebbia, with initial results due by July 4, 2026.
Gebbia said on X:
My directive is to update today’s government services to be as satisfying to use as the Apple Store: beautifully designed, great user experience, run on modern software. An experience that projects a level of excellence for our nation, and makes life less complicated for everyday… — Joe Gebbia (@jgebbia) August 23, 2025
Gebbia compared the vision to Apple’s sleek customer experience, promising services that are simple, reliable, and satisfying. “There’s no reason why our government can’t be a standard for great design,” he told Axios.
The Washington Post notes how the 44-year-old co-founded Airbnb in 2008 after facing difficulties paying his San Francisco rent. The company expanded into a worldwide travel industry leader which welcomed more than 1.5 billion guests. Gebbia stepped down from his operational position at Airbnb in 2022 but continues to collaborate on the board while also serving on Tesla’s board.
During his time at DOGE, Gebbia collaborated with Musk to update the outdated federal retirement system and create digital tools for public services. The Post notes that he has since shifted politically, moving from a Democratic donor to aligning with Trump in 2024.
Elon Musk and White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks congratulated Gebbia on his new role. “As a former cofounder of @Airbnb, @jgebbia could have done anything next but decided to volunteer his time and expertise to public service. Thank you Joe,” Sacks posted, as noted by Business Insider.
