YouTube AI Likeness Creator to Launch Later This Year
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced that the platform will launch a YouTube AI likeness creator feature in 2026, allowing influencers to generate Shorts using digital twins.
Your favorite YouTube star might soon be everywhere at once—without ever picking up a camera. In a major strategic shift, YouTube is preparing to let creators clone themselves using generative AI.
What to Expect from the YouTube AI Likeness Creator
According to The Verge, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced in his annual letter today, January 21, 2026, that creators will be able to produce Shorts using their 'own likeness' sometime this 2026 calendar year.
While specific technical details remain under wraps, YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle confirmed that the platform will share more information soon regarding the official launch date and functionality. This move represents a massive leap in YouTube's AI roadmap, which aims to integrate synthetic media directly into the creator workflow.
Scaling Human Creativity via AI
The introduction of AI likenesses is part of a broader suite of tools designed to lower the barrier for content production. By allowing creators to generate Shorts without physical filming, YouTube is effectively decoupling content creation from the creator's physical time. However, this raises critical questions about authenticity and how viewers will distinguish between real and synthetic human presence.
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