Neal Mohan published his annual letter to the YouTube community, in which he talks about his plans for the site in 2026. As YouTube turns 20, Mohan talks about how the platform intends to use AI to improve the experiences of creators, artists, partners, and viewers, creating a space for meaningful interaction and sharing.
Neal Mohan’s letter lists key objectives for AI development by 2026, stressing how it can help people be more creative and manage risks. Similar to how synthesisers and CGI revolutionised the past, he perceives AI as a transformative tool for creators. More than 1 million channels use AI creation tools every day. Improvements will make it possible to make personalised Shorts, games from text prompts, and better music, making AI a creative partner instead of a replacement for human creativity.
The letter also stresses how important it is for AI-generated content to be transparent, especially when it comes to deepfakes. YouTube is already labelling this type of content and requiring creators to disclose any alterations or creations of synthetic media. The platform dedicates itself to combating harmful synthetic media and enhancing its Content ID system to effectively manage creators’ likenesses. This effort backs significant regulations like the NO FAKES Act, which protects the integrity of creative work.
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Mohan addresses the issue of “AI slop” and emphasises the significance of monitoring quality on a platform that promotes freedom of expression. YouTube knows that it has to make sure that people have enjoyable viewing experiences. To do this, it is improving its strategies for dealing with spam and low-quality content based on trends from the past 20 years.
He additionally speaks about how AI could make the viewing experience better by stating that many people used the Ask tool in December to get more information about what they were watching. YouTube also wants to make its content more accessible through autodubbed content, which gets over 6 million views every day.
YouTube has a wide range of content for different interests, including long-form videos, Shorts, music videos, livestreams, and podcasts. You can watch it on any screen and in any format. Shorts alone get an average of 200 billion views every day, and there are plans to add new formats to the feed. YouTube is still the most popular streaming site in the U.S., thanks to creators like Ms Rachel, who has been nominated for Emmys. YouTube TV is improving the viewing experience by adding customised multiview options and specialised plans for sports, entertainment, and news. This solidifies its status as the best place to find unlimited viewing options.
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It is important to make YouTube a safe and educational place for kids and teens, with a focus on experiences that are right for their age. A Kantar survey from 2025 says that 93% of young viewers think YouTube is a good way to learn new skills, and 79% of teachers agree. The launch of the YouTube Kids app in 2015 and better parental controls to help families manage their viewing experiences are two of the most important steps. The upcoming updates will simplify the use of parental controls, streamline account management, and enable parents to monitor their children’s screen time, including the ability to set time limits for Shorts, a first in the industry. These offerings show that YouTube is serious about giving parents the tools they need to help their kids safely and productively explore the internet.
To enhance revenue streams for creators, YouTube is investing in diverse earning opportunities such as shopping, brand partnerships, and fan funding through features like Jewels and gifts. This year, YouTube will intensify its efforts to position itself as a leading shopping destination, facilitating smooth purchases within the app as creators promote products. Furthermore, YouTube is simplifying the process for influencer marketing agencies and brands to hire creators, offering tools for effective brand collaborations, such as the ability to link to brand sites in Shorts and manage branded content dynamically. The commitment is to foster a diversified economy that empowers creators to transform their visions into sustainable global businesses.
