YouTube’s AI Innovations for Economic Growth in India
YouTube has introduced a variety of innovative AI features, educational initiatives, and safety tools at this year’s annual YouTube Impact Summit, presenting new economic impact results from Oxford Economics. The findings indicate that YouTube’s creative ecosystem contributed over ₹16,000 crore to India’s GDP in the past year and created more than 930,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Gunjan Soni, the Managing Director for India at YouTube, highlighted that the platform’s impact reaches far beyond its viewership metrics. The impact is not solely about the number of views; it encompasses the economic livelihoods and growth shared by many. A significant 63% of creators who monetise their content affirm that YouTube serves as their main revenue source. YouTube aims to provide the necessary infrastructure for this success which includes forming strategic partnerships focused on skill development and launching innovative AI tools that empower a new generation of entrepreneurs, all while maintaining a core commitment to responsibility.
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, welcomed YouTube’s renewed emphasis on credible information and digital inclusion. It is commendable to witness platforms like YouTube align with the Ministry’s objectives by facilitating access to credible information, encouraging economic independence, and promoting digital literacy. By collaborating with platforms like YouTube to provide supportive tools for entrepreneurship and ensuring a safer online environment, the government is enhancing a Digital India where women can innovate and lead, and children can learn and grow securely.
As 98 percent of Indian users report using YouTube for knowledge acquisition and information, the platform is set to announce two important collaborations.
YouTube will work with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to train students in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. This partnership encompasses sessions led by experts, funding for AI-driven projects, and support to enhance IICT’s presence on YouTube.
Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, described the partnership as significant for future creators. India’s creative landscape is currently experiencing a transformative phase, and AI is poised to revolutionise storytelling. This association with YouTube is crucial for connecting classroom training to a global platform, equipping students with direct access to the technology and expertise necessary to lead India’s next generation in animation, film, and gaming.
Additionally, YouTube is joining forces with AIIMS to widen access to professional nursing training by providing expertly designed modules covering essential topics like wound care and infection control.
Dr Latha Venkatesan, Principal at the College of Nursing, AIIMS, remarked that digital learning serves as a powerful tool for increasing access to high-quality education. The partnership with YouTube enables AIIMS’ respected curriculum to reach beyond its campus, empowering nurses nationwide with the skills essential for excellent patient care.
YouTube has recently implemented a conversational AI feature within the video player, allowing viewers to pose questions and receive immediate answers. This feature is currently available in English, with Hindi support on the way.
Additional improvements include expanded First Aid resources in both English and Hindi, a new daily limit for scroll time on Shorts, and enhanced settings aimed at promoting mindful viewing, particularly for younger viewers.
For content creators, YouTube is launching “Edit with AI” in the YouTube Create app, designed to streamline the editing process and minimise production time. The platform is also rolling out likeness detection tools in open beta, enabling creators to identify and request the removal of AI-altered videos that misuse their facial likeness.
Gunjan Soni reaffirmed that India is central to YouTube’s global aspirations. India is more than just a market; it is a wellspring of global innovation and cultural richness. The creativity observed here is impressive. By integrating advanced AI technologies and collaborating with esteemed institutions like IICT and AIIMS, YouTube is not merely investing in a platform but also in the creative potential of the Indian populace. The future of the internet is being shaped here, and YouTube takes pride in being part of this journey.
At the event, Hon’ble Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that India’s culture is its most valuable asset, and digital platforms like YouTube serve as vital tools for sharing it. When creators highlight regional arts, showcase the efforts of local artisans, or guide viewers through historic sites, they become digital ambassadors for India’s heritage. This collaboration is essential for advancing India’s creative economy and presenting its rich cultural heritage to a global audience. Together, the focus is on building a vibrant and creative economy while ensuring that India’s cultural richness continues to inspire the world.
