YouTube is reportedly rolling out a new AI-powered avatar feature that lets users create a digital version of themselves for Shorts. The tool allows users to generate a photorealistic avatar using their face and voice, making it possible to appear in videos without recording each time. According to a report from 9To5Google, the feature is part of YouTube’s broader push into AI-driven video creation for making content creation more flexible while maintaining user privacy and control.
YouTube’s AI Avatar: What’s it
According to the report, the feature allows users to generate a photorealistic avatar by capturing a “live selfie.” This includes recording their face and voice by reading a few prompts. Once created, the avatar can be used to generate short video clips, with each AI-generated segment lasting up to eight seconds. Users can create multiple clips and combine them to form a longer Short.
As reported, the avatar creation process is available within the main YouTube app as well as YouTube Create. After completing the one-time setup, users can reuse the avatar for future videos or update it anytime by re-recording their appearance and voice.
According to the report cited by YouTube, the feature is designed to help users include themselves in videos in a “safe and secure” way. The company reportedly has emphasised that the recorded selfie video and voice data are used only to generate the avatar and cannot be accessed or used by others. Users also retain full control, including the option to delete their avatar at any time. However, any videos already created using the avatar will remain on the platform unless they are manually removed.
To ensure transparency, all videos created using avatars will include watermarks and digital labels such as SynthID and C2PA, along with clear disclosures indicating AI-generated content.
Once available, users can access the feature by tapping the Create ‘+’ button in the app, selecting the Gemini spark icon and choosing the option to create a video with their avatar. It is also accessible through the Remix menu. The report mentioned that the rollout has started globally for users aged 18 and above, excluding Europe, with wider availability expected in the coming days.
