YouTube, the video giant now ruling U.S. screens, celebrated its 20th birthday by doubling down on AI as the secret weapon for endless content creation. Backed by Google’s vast resources and top-tier AI smarts, the platform has surged ahead of Disney, grabbing the top spot in media dominance after years of fierce rivalry. On September 18, 2025, at the Made on YouTube event in New York, executives unveiled a future where creators thrive with AI tools, not traditional Hollywood gatekeepers. This move signals YouTube’s push to make video-making a sustainable career, drawing 2.7 billion users—including stars like Dua Lipa—who flock to it as America’s go-to TV alternative.
With Nielsen data showing YouTube’s 13.4% U.S. viewership share in July—topping Disney’s 9.4%—analysts predict it will eclipse Disney’s $60 billion media revenue this year. Alphabet reports YouTube’s ad and subscription haul already hit $50 billion in the year ending September 2024. Over four years, the platform has paid creators more than $100 billion, fueling pro-level productions that rival big studios.
YouTube AI: Tools That Supercharge Creators
YouTube tripled its new features this year, rolling out over 30 innovations, most powered by YouTube AI to streamline production and spark fresh ideas. CEO Neal Mohan stressed these aren’t job-killers but enablers: “No AI tool owns entertainment’s future—creators do.” Stars like Lipa, Mark Rober, and Smosh showcased how the platform builds fan bonds and replaces fading late-night TV with mega-channels boasting 16 million-plus subscribers.
Key YouTube AI features include:
More News To Read: ZeroGPT Review – The Best Tool to Spot AI-Written Content
- Automatic shopping links embedded in videos for seamless e-commerce.
- Instant clip editing to whip up rough cuts in seconds.
- AI-generated videos synced to audio podcasts for visual boosts.
- Speech-to-song generator turning talks into tunes.
Premium users get extras like curated queues, faster playback, and rewards. In India, YouTube Shorts hit a trillion views, supporting 11,000 creators with 1 million subscribers each. VP Amjad Hanif credits YouTube AI for speeding up staff brainstorming, too.
As AI reshapes media, YouTube positions itself not just as a site for amateur clips, but a powerhouse for pros. This YouTube AI strategy promises to keep creators unconstrained, viewers hooked, and the platform unbeatable in the streaming wars.
More News To Read: Google SERP Data Collection Changes Shake Up SEO Tools in 2025
