Top YouTube creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has voiced concerns about the growing AI impact on creators, warning that AI-generated videos could threaten the livelihoods of millions of content creators worldwide. Posting on social media Monday, Donaldson described the situation as “scary times” for the industry.
MrBeast, ranked No. 1 on Forbes’ 2025 list of top creators with $85 million in earnings and 634 million followers, has a significant influence in the creator economy. His concerns highlight the potential challenges smaller creators may face as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent.
AI Video Tools Surge Amid Creator Concerns
Donaldson’s comments follow the launch of OpenAI’s Sora 2, an AI-powered audio and video generator paired with a mobile app that allows users to create and share AI videos in a TikTok-style feed. The app quickly rose to No. 1 on the U.S. App Store due to early downloads.
YouTube has also embraced AI, introducing tools like its Veo video model, which animates still photos, applies styles to videos, and helps creators generate AI content. AI features in YouTube Studio now assist with clipping live videos, creating highlights, and answering creator questions through a chatbot.
MrBeast’s Experience with AI
Despite his concerns, MrBeast has experimented with AI himself. This summer, he faced backlash for an AI tool on his analytics platform Viewstats, which generated video thumbnails. He quickly removed the tool and pledged to link users to human artists instead. His company’s philanthropy arm has also invested in AI projects in the past.
The Future of AI in Content Creation
The rise of AI video tools has sparked debate in the creator community. While some worry that AI could flood the internet with low-quality content, others argue it could democratize creation. Yet, even if AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human-made videos, undisclosed use could erode audience trust and damage reputations.
As AI continues to evolve, the AI impact on creators remains a pressing topic, with industry leaders like MrBeast signaling the need for caution and thoughtful adoption.