Google's YouTube is launching AI-powered upscaling that automatically boosts low-resolution videos to HD quality, but here's the twist - both creators and viewers can opt out. The move comes after months of creator backlash over unwanted video enhancements, marking a rare concession from the platform on automated content modifications. With TV viewing driving YouTube's fastest growth, the company's betting that better video quality will keep viewers glued to their screens.
YouTube just made a move that could reshape how we watch old videos forever. The Google-owned platform announced it's automatically upscaling videos uploaded in 240p to 720p resolution using AI, bumping them to crisp HD quality. But unlike past controversial rollouts, this time creators and viewers actually get a say in the matter.
"Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements," YouTube said in its announcement. The platform promises 4K upscaling support "in the near future," potentially transforming millions of grainy uploads from YouTube's early days.
The opt-out feature represents a notable shift for YouTube, which has faced growing creator frustration over automated video modifications. Previous complaints highlighted how the platform was applying enhancements without consent, sometimes causing unwanted visual distortions.
"The automatic upscaling will only apply to videos that have been uploaded in 240p to 720p resolutions," YouTube spokesperson Veronica Navarrete told The Verge. Videos already remastered to 1080p won't get the AI treatment, preserving creator intent for professionally enhanced content.
YouTube's timing reflects the broader industry push toward AI-enhanced viewing experiences. Every major TV manufacturer now offers proprietary upscaling technology, while Nvidia has been perfecting similar features on its Shield TV streaming devices. As 4K displays become standard and screen sizes grow, grainy old content increasingly looks out of place.