YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced the platform’s strategic priorities for 2026, signalling a massive shift toward artificial intelligence and creator-led media houses.
The head of the world’s largest video platform detailed plans to empower creators to function as full-scale movie studios while introducing tools that allow them to generate digital likenesses and interactive games using AI.
Mohan emphasized that the platform has paid out over 100 billion dollars to creators, artists, and media companies over the last four years, cementing its role as the backbone of the global creator economy.
The upcoming year will see the rollout of advanced AI features designed to help creators experiment with new formats.
One of the most significant updates includes the ability for creators to produce video games using simple text prompts and create content using an AI-generated version of their own likeness.
To maintain transparency, Mohan noted that the platform will clearly label synthetic content and provide new tools within Content ID (an automated system that helps creators identify and manage their copyrighted content) to help personalities manage how their digital likeness is used by others.
Neal Mohan is also doubling down on YouTube Shopping to make the platform a premier destination for digital commerce. The goal is to create a frictionless shopping journey where viewers can buy products recommended by creators without ever leaving the app.
This follows a successful 2025, where individual creators reportedly drove millions of dollars in Gross Merchandise Value, the total value of goods sold over a specific period.
Addressing the rise of low-quality automated content, often referred to as AI slop, Mohan promised that YouTube is building new systems to combat spam and repetitive uploads.
The platform aims to protect the viewing experience by ensuring that high-quality, human-led storytelling remains the focus.
For younger audiences, new parental controls will be introduced, including an industry-first feature that allows parents to set a timer on Shorts to zero, effectively giving them total control over scrolling habits.
The move to treat creators as the new “prime time” comes as YouTube celebrates nearly three years as the top streaming service on television screens in the US.
Mohan highlighted that many top YouTubers are now purchasing Hollywood-sized studio lots to produce high-budget series, moving away from the old label of User-Generated Content (UGC).
With over 200 billion daily views on Shorts, the platform plans to integrate image posts and other interactive formats further to keep the community engaged.
Neal Mohan took over as CEO of YouTube in February 2023, succeeding Susan Wojcicki after serving as the company’s Chief Product Officer for many years. Under his leadership, the platform has aggressively competed with TikTok through the expansion of Shorts and shifted focus toward the “living room” experience via YouTube TV.
As of 2026, Mohan’s vision remains centered on the idea that the next big global star is someone currently starting their channel with nothing more than a smartphone and an original idea.
