Content creators on YouTube are discovering a new revenue stream: selling their unused video footage to AI companies.
According to a report by Bloomberg, creators are “oftentimes netting thousands of dollars per deal,” with companies like OpenAI and Google among those purchasing the footage.
YouTubers often shoot hours of video that never make it into their final edits. These unused clips, which range from scenic shots to everyday interactions, are proving to be valuable assets for AI companies. For creators, this provides an opportunity to monetize material that would otherwise sit idle on a hard drive.
OpenAI and Google, both leaders in the AI space, are reportedly leading the charge. The footage they acquire is likely used to train models for various applications, including robotics, self-driving vehicles, and enhanced video recognition systems.
