YouTube’s new AI can guess your age from what you search and watch

YouTube has begun testing an artificial intelligence–powered age verification system in the United States that guesses a user’s age from their watchlist and search history rather than relying on self-reported birth dates.

The trial, which is to be launched on August 13, applies to a small group of logged-in US users.

The AI system analyses the types of videos a person watches, searches for, and engages with to determine whether they are likely under 18.

If flagged as a minor, users will encounter existing safeguards, including restrictions on certain videos, limits on personalised advertising, and prompts for privacy and screen-time controls.

Those who believe they have been incorrectly classified can verify their age through a government-issued ID, credit card, or selfie. Viewers not logged in will also face some restrictions unless they complete an alternative verification process.

Also Read: Australia adds YouTube in list of banned sites for under-16s

YouTube says the move is part of a broader push to protect minors and provide safer, more tailored experiences online. James Beser, the platform’s director of product management for youth, said in a blog post that the system aims to “deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy.”

The pilot comes amid intensifying legal and political scrutiny of how tech companies handle age verification, following a recent US Supreme Court decision upholding a Texas law that limits minors’ access to explicit material.

Digital rights advocates warn the new approach could raise privacy and free speech concerns.

If deemed effective, YouTube’s AI-driven system could be rolled out globally, creating a model in which platforms determine users’ ages based on behavioral patterns rather than declared information.