At the Made on YouTube 2025 event, YouTube introduced a series of updates aimed at shaping the next decade of creation, connection, and business.
Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, highlighted AI as the next phase in empowering creativity and said:
No studio, network, tech company, or AI tool will own the future of entertainment. That power belongs to creators.
He also revealed that YouTube has paid out over $100 billion to creators, artists, and media companies worldwide in the past four years.
AI-Powered Creativity for Shorts
YouTube is making Shorts more interactive with Google DeepMind’s Veo 3 Fast. Creators can now generate backgrounds or short clips with sound at no cost. AI features also bring new options such as:
- Motion and restyle tools to adjust video look and feel
- Prop additions for scene customization
- Edit with AI, which turns raw footage into a draft video
- Speech-to-song, which converts dialogue into a soundtrack
New Studio Tools for the Creative Process
YouTube Studio is evolving into a broader creative hub. A conversational tool called Ask Studio will give creators insights to optimize their content strategy, while title A/B testing, updates to the Inspiration Tab, and improved auto-dubbing will help streamline workflows.
Creators will also gain the ability to collaborate directly in Studio, and YouTube is expanding its likeness detection tool in open beta, allowing Partner Program creators to identify and manage AI-generated videos using their facial likeness.
Reinventing Live and Podcast Formats
Live streaming remains a key driver of interaction, with more than 30% of logged-in YouTube viewers watching live daily in Q2 2025. YouTube is rolling out its biggest live upgrade yet, with tools to:
- Deepen fan engagement
- Expand reach to new audiences
- Improve monetization options
Podcasts are also receiving new tools. Creators can cut Shorts and clips from full episodes, while Veo will help generate customizable video directly from audio files for podcasters without video resources.
Strengthening Artist–Fan Connections
On YouTube Music, new options such as countdowns and pre-saves will help fans engage with upcoming releases. Beyond music, creators can now offer exclusive perks like thank-you videos, behind-the-scenes content, and special merchandise to their top supporters.
Expanding Brand and Shopping Opportunities
To simplify partnerships, YouTube is introducing updates to brand deals, including the ability to add direct links to brand sites in Shorts. A new initiative will also help accelerate collaborations between creators and businesses.
Meanwhile, YouTube Shopping is expanding into more markets and merchants. AI will assist with automatic product tagging, making it easier for creators to integrate shopping features into their content.
Availability
Most of the new features announced at the Made on YouTube 2025 event will roll out through the rest of 2025 and into early 2026.
- Already rolling out: Veo 3 integration in Shorts and Ask Studio in select regions.
- Coming soon: Title A/B testing and new podcast tools, which will be released over the next few weeks and months.
- Gradual rollout: Broader updates, including likeness detection expansion and live streaming upgrades, will arrive in stages into early 2026.