New YouTube system: AI decides who is an adult
From August 2025, YouTube will be using artificial intelligence in the USA to automatically recognise the age of its users. This is intended to provide more protection - adults will have to verify their age with documents or photos.
If a person is classified as under the age of 18, YouTube's interface changes: personalised advertising disappears and protective functions such as reminders to take screen breaks and rest periods are automatically activated. Access to potentially unsuitable content will also be restricted. The aim is to provide young people «with an age-appropriate and safe environment on the» platform.
What is behind the «sudden» protection of minors?
How does the whole thing work technically?
The system is based on machine learning, explains YouTube on the support page. The system evaluates which content is consumed, how long the platform is used and what general user behaviour looks like. From this, the AI calculates a probability assessment of the person's age.
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