MrBeasts AI Thumbnail Tool Sparks Controversy Over Use of Other Creators Faces and Styles

Popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has retracted a new AI tool designed for creating thumbnail images that allowed users to mimic the styles of other creators.

«[…] We’ve removed this feature and implemented a funnel so that content creators can discover genuine artists for commission work,» stated the blogger, who boasts over 400 million subscribers on YouTube.

The $80-a-month tool enabled users to generate thumbnails that emulated the visual styles, logos, and even faces of other YouTubers.

This raised concerns regarding consent, originality, and copyright over the generated content.

«What the hell… And he even used my logo in advertising. I hate what this platform has become. Forget AI,» commented the YouTuber known as Jacksepticeye.

While the tool remains available on ViewStats, the face-swapping function will be restricted for creators using their own images in thumbnails.

ViewStats is a YouTube tool developed by Donaldson and Chucky Appleby, aimed at helping creators grow their channels and enhance their videos through built-in analytics features.

Earlier, a deepfake video went viral on X, featuring Donald Trump calling for the return of velociraptors and pterodactyls to patrol the border with Mexico.

It is worth noting that in January, Hong Kong law enforcement officials arrested 31 members of a criminal group involved in scams utilizing deepfake technologies.