YouTube’s new monetization policy, active from July 15, signals a clear warning: “Mass production using AI” will no longer be rewarded. Repetitive content made through automated tools—especially those using AI voiceovers, stock visuals, and templated formats—is now being flagged as ineligible for monetization.

But there’s a catch. While YouTube aims to curb low-effort content, it hasn’t clearly defined how much originality is enough. That vagueness has created a grey area ripe for exploitation.

Thousands of creators continue uploading videos built from pre-written AI scripts, minor voice tweaks, or slightly altered templates—technically original, but functionally repetitive. These formats may bypass detection, at least for now, raising questions about consistency in enforcement.

Creators using tools like InVideo, Pictory, or ElevenLabs aren’t banned outright—but those relying solely on automation without human narrative, perspective, or structure are walking a thin line. The difference between innovation and imitation lies in the intent and transformation—something AI alone can’t guarantee.

The concern is twofold: legit creators risk demonetization due to unclear standards, while bad actors may continue to exploit this ambiguity, pushing out content at scale.

As YouTube tightens the screws, the message is simple but strict: mass production isn’t creativity. If AI is doing all the work, the revenue may soon disappear.