MrBeast Calls Out AI As a Threat to YouTubers’ Livelihoods

MrBeast is feeling uneasy about AI. The world’s top YouTuber thinks AI-generated videos could threaten the livelihoods of creators.

“When AI videos are just as good as normal videos, I wonder what that will do to YouTube and how it will impact the millions of creators currently making content for a living,” MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, posted on X. “Scary times.”

The creator’s comments arrive as platforms like YouTube and OpenAI introduce new AI tools that make video generation much easier to accomplish.

Last week, OpenAI launched Sora 2, a new version of its generative AI video feature that lets users insert themselves into videos with a simple text prompt. The resulting videos can appear real (though often a bit uncanny). In September, YouTube announced a slew of new AI video tools for creators, including the ability for audio podcasters to generate short videos from transcripts.

The wave of new AI technology has some creators, like MrBeast, spooked. If AI-generated videos continue to advance, it may soon become difficult for viewers to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content. How will YouTubers compete with machines that can create, edit, and post content instantly?

MrBeast knows firsthand that AI is a hot-button issue in the creator world. In June, he faced a wave of backlash after releasing an AI tool that helped creators generate thumbnail images for YouTube. Donaldson quickly pulled down the feature and instead directed users to hire human artists.

“I care more than any of you could ever imagine about the YouTube community,” Donaldson said at the time. “It deeply makes me sad when I do something that people in the community are upset by.”

MrBeast did not provide additional comment on his most recent post on X.