Buenos Aires, January 21 (NA) -- YouTube presented its roadmap for 2026 with a firm definition: the era of "user-generated content" is over, and YouTubers are now the new stars of the industry. According to the Argentine News Agency, CEO Neal Mohan published an open letter detailing the company's strategy focused on artificial intelligence, the creative economy, and the safety of minors. In December, more than one million channels used the platform's AI tools daily. However, the company acknowledged the challenge of maintaining quality. Over the past four years, YouTube has paid out more than $100 billion to creators, artists, and media companies. For the company, creators are building "massive studios" and deserve to be considered for the most important entertainment awards. A $100 billion economy The financial impact of the digital ecosystem continues to break records. Among the highlights was an industry-leading feature that allows parents to set Shorts viewing time to zero to prevent excessive consumption of short videos. "They call us home because we offer the most stable path to earning," the executive stated, reaffirming the commitment to building the world's most diverse creative economy. Artificial Intelligence: tool vs. "junk" Regarding technological advancement, Mohan was blunt: "AI will remain a tool for expression, not a replacement." "YouTube is the new television because creators are the new primetime," Mohan affirmed, noting that the platform has led in streaming viewing time in the U.S. for nearly three years. Therefore, they announced they are adjusting their recommendation and monetization systems to curb the spread of "AI slop," a term used to describe low-quality content mass-generated by artificial intelligence. Protection of minors Finally, the letter reaffirmed the goal of protecting children "in the digital world, not from the digital world."
