Molly McDonald, founder of Blue Door Productions and a seasoned YouTube content specialist who has worked with Red Bull, KSI and the BBC, has praised YouTube’s latest efforts to clamp down on mass-produced, low-quality AI content, calling the move a vital step in protecting human creativity and authentic storytelling.
The platform is rolling out new monetisation rules that restrict revenue opportunities for creators who rely solely on AI-generated content. The update, set to take effect this month, signals a shift in favour of “meaningful human input”such as creative editing, commentary, and original scripting.
“YouTube’s new policy helps guard against the risk of AI use because it ensures human responsibility and oversight,” said McDonald.
“Reducing AI-generated content supports those who truly power the platform – real people crafting original work.”
While the video-sharing giant is not banning artificial intelligence outright, it is drawing a firm line: content must feature substantive human involvement to be eligible for ad revenue.
McDonald, whose production agency has worked across high-profile branded and influencer content, agrees with this distinction.
“AI is a great tool for the industry – it can aid scriptwriting, support editing workflows, and even generate supplementary content,” she said.
“But it’s important we don’t become dependent on it. Mass automation would inevitably lead to low-quality output that damages the very fabric of the creative economy.”
She warned that a flood of “AI slop” – low-effort, auto-generated content – would erode trust, reduce engagement, and ultimately hurt both viewers and professional creators.
The policy changes are part of a wider push by YouTube to retain its position as a platform for authentic voices, especially as generative AI tools become more accessible and widely adopted.
“The bottom line is, the human experience cannot be replicated,” McDonald said.
“What connects with audiences is emotional depth, nuance, authenticity – all of which only real people can create. That’s what builds trust and cultural value.”
She added that YouTube’s commitment to protecting that authenticity is not just a safeguard for the present, but an investment in its future.
“By protecting authenticity in its content, YouTube is actually future-proofing its own success.”
The move comes amid growing concerns that AI-generated content is flooding major platforms, undermining quality and user trust. YouTube’s monetisation guidelines follow similar trends seen on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where brands and advertisers are increasingly seeking genuine, human-made content.
While the debate continues around where to draw the line between AI-assisted and AI-dependent content, creators like McDonald say the focus must remain on elevating originality and storytelling, rather than chasing automation at scale.
