2025-08-25T18:16:43Z

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Is YouTube secretly altering your videos with AI, and did anyone bother to tell you? For months, content creators have been whispering about something feeling off in their uploads, and it turns out, they might be onto something big. After some digging by a notable music channel, Google has confirmed it has been experimenting with a new AI feature designed to enhance video quality. But here's the kicker: they did this without notifying creators or giving them the option to opt out!

This mysterious AI rollout began earlier this year, primarily affecting YouTube Shorts. Soon after, users began reporting bizarre visual distortions—think strange artifacts, edge distortions, and an unsettlingly smooth appearance reminiscent of an oversharpened photo. If you've ever taken a close-up shot with your smartphone only to find it looks more like an oil painting than a clear image, you know exactly the kind of effect we're talking about.

Rene Ritchie, head of editorial at YouTube, attempted to clarify the situation, noting that this isn’t just another one of Google's AI gimmicks. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated that the technology isn't generative AI but rather relies on 'traditional machine learning' to reduce blur and enhance sharpness. However, let's be real—it's still AI, which raises questions about the ethics of modifying content without creator consent.

YouTuber Rhett Shull took it upon himself to investigate this phenomenon after a discussion with a fellow creator. He quickly became convinced that YouTube was applying this AI video processing behind the scenes, dubbing it 'upscaling.' However, Ritchie's assertion that this isn't technically upscaling tech has left many scratching their heads.