YouTube logo.
Credit: Reuters Photo
YouTube, particularly during the COVID-19-induced pandemic, has not only become a huge repository of information (second only to Google Search), but also a critical platform for budding creators to earn their livelihood worldwide, including in India.
It is worth noting that YouTube’s creator ecosystem contributed over Rs 16,000 crores to India's GDP last year and supported more than 930,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Now, YouTube is collaborating with government-run colleges and medical institutes to bring AI-powered tools designed to improve the skillsets of budding content creators. Additionally, it promises to connect citizens to credible information related to important topics, such as health on YouTube.
Our impact isn't just about views; it’s about livelihoods and shared economic growth. We see this when 63% of our monetising creators agree that YouTube is their primary source of revenue. Our role is to provide the infrastructure for that success. That is why, we’re forging strategic partnerships that build skills and launching new AI tools that empower the next wave of entrepreneurs - all built with our commitment to responsibility at the coreGunjan Soni, Managing Director - India, YouTube
YouTube, in partnership with the newly created Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), will offer mentorship to students for careers in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) industries through three key programmes.
YouTube will share industry-led webinars, guest lectures, and expert workshops with IICT students. Also, it will support and share best practices to help IICT launch and grow its official YouTube channel.
Also, it is pledging a new funding commitment to support innovative projects, enabling students and artists to use AI to develop new content in film, animation, and gaming.
India’s creative industry is at a pivotal moment, and AI is set to redefine storytelling. This partnership with YouTube is essential to bridge the gap between the classroom and the global stage, giving our students direct access to the technology and expertise they need to lead the next wave of Indian animation, film, and gamingVishwas Deoskar, CEO, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies
Besides IICT, YouTube is partnering with the College of Nursing at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), to bring expert-designed professional nursing courses to the platform.
The new programme will offer critical training on topics such as wound care and hospital infection control available to over 5,000 nursing students and practising nurses across India.
Digital learning is a powerful tool for scaling access to quality education. This partnership with YouTube allows us to take AIIMS' trusted curriculum beyond our campus walls and empower nurses across the country with the skills they need to deliver excellent patient careDr Latha Venkatesan, Principal at College of Nursing, AIIMS
In 2024, YouTube registered 300 billion views related to health content in India.
Now, YouTube will expand First Aid shelves in Hindi in India. It will appear at the top of search results, will provide easy-to-follow, credible videos across even more conditions.
Additionally, YouTube is rolling out the ability for users to set a daily limit for scrolling on the Shorts feed, encouraging healthier screen habits.
It can be noted that the 'take a break' reminder feature on YouTube is on by default for users under 18.
YouTube is also launching a new conversational AI tool that lets viewers ask questions and get instant answers right within the video player. This will greatly enhance the viewing experience with more engaging and educational content. The feature is now available in English, and soon, it will support Hindi.
For content creators, YouTube is launching ‘Edit with AI’ for all creators worlwide. It can be accessed on YouTube Create app. The new powerful AI tool can intuitively transforms raw footage into a compelling first draft, drastically cutting down on editing time.
Further, YouTube will begin to offer Beta 'Likeness Detection'.
It was first announced at Made on YouTube. This vital safeguard helps creators monitor and request the removal of unauthorised, AI-altered videos that use their facial likeness.
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