• MrBeast has removed an AI tool for creating YouTube thumbnails after backlash from artists.
• The tool was criticized for potentially infringing on creators' work.
• MrBeast plans to replace the tool with links to human artists for commissioning.

MrBeast, a prominent YouTube creator known for his massive following, has pulled an AI-powered thumbnail generator from his analytics platform, ViewStats, following considerable backlash from fellow creators. He originally launched the tool with the intention of assisting smaller creators in designing more effective thumbnails. However, after receiving criticism for potentially "stealing" the work of established artists, MrBeast admitted he had "missed the mark" in an X post. He acknowledged the crucial role that human artists play in the creative process and expressed sadness over disrupting the community he deeply values, according to Newsweek and BBC.

The AI tool, available for an $80 monthly subscription, allowed users to recreate existing thumbnails by inserting themselves into previously designed images. Critics, including YouTubers PointCrow and Jacksepticeye, raised concerns that the model was "clearly trained" on existing creators' thumbnails without permission, effectively infringing on their copyright. PointCrow called the initiative something that could "steal... hard work without a thought," which sparked significant debate on the ethical use of generative AI in creative spaces, according to IndiaTimes and BBC.