YouTube is launching a new AI system designed to guess your age from your viewing habits. This move aims to improve user safety on the platform. Instead of relying on the age you entered when signing up, YouTube will analyze what videos you watch. For example, the AI looks at the types of videos you search for and the categories you visit most often. It also considers how long your account has existed. All these factors help the AI to guess your age.
If the AI determines you are under 18, YouTube will activate age-appropriate settings automatically. These settings include disabling personalized ads and adding extra tools focused on wellbeing. The platform will also adjust your recommendations to prevent repetitive viewing of the same content. YouTube hopes this approach will better protect younger viewers from inappropriate videos.
However, this AI system to guess your age could make mistakes. If YouTube wrongly flags you as underage, you must prove you are 18 or older. Verification may involve providing a government ID, credit card, or a selfie. Only after confirming your age will you regain access to age-restricted content.
YouTube plans to begin testing this AI system in the United States with a small group of users. The company will monitor how well the system performs before expanding it further. They mention this approach already works effectively in other countries. Given YouTube’s popularity among children, Google sees this step as necessary to tackle inappropriate content.
Still, many wonder if AI to guess your age is the right tool. People’s video preferences do not always match their age. As a result, the system could generate many false positives. When used widely, this method might cause frustration among users mistakenly flagged as minors. YouTube will have to balance safety with accuracy carefully.
In summary, YouTube’s new AI to guess your age tries to create a safer environment. It will analyze viewing habits instead of relying on user-reported age. While promising, it might face challenges with incorrect age predictions. Only time will tell if this technology truly improves user safety on the platform.
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