YouTube CEO warns against “AI slop” as platform doubles down on creators

YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan has warned against a surge in low-quality “AI slop” as the platform enters what he described as a new phase of creator-led growth.

In his annual letter outlining priorities for 2026, Mohan said artificial intelligence would continue to unlock new creative possibilities, but stressed the company had a responsibility to curb repetitive, low-effort content produced at scale.

“As an open platform, we allow for a broad range of free expression,” Mohan wrote. “But with this openness comes a responsibility to maintain the high quality viewing experience that people want.”

The stance reflects a broader recalibration across major platforms as AI-generated content becomes harder to distinguish from human-made work.

Mohan also used the letter to position creators as the central drivers of YouTube’s future business. He described creators as “the new stars and studios” of modern entertainment, arguing that the era of dismissing creator output was over.

“When creators hold the keys to their own production and distribution, the only limit is their imagination,” he wrote.

Alongside efforts to manage low-quality AI content, YouTube plans to expand creator monetisation tools, including shopping, brand partnerships and fan funding features, while continuing to invest in Shorts and living-room viewing through YouTube TV.

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