AI age is here, but human content will remain king: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan
India has been a crucible for some of YouTube’s global product successes, including that of its short video format, Neal Mohan, CEO of the Google-owned platform, told ET. A new app, YouTube Create, and some AI-led language tools are being currently tested in India before their global rollout, he added. Mohan, 51, who grew up in Lucknow, is on his first visit to the country after being appointed CEO of YouTube in February last year. Edited excerpts:
What are YouTube’s priority areas and expectations from India?
I've been on the ground here for a few days now. It's wonderful to see how dynamic the environment here is. The creator economy on YouTube has generated Rs 16,000 crore of economic activity along with 7,50,000 jobs. We're very proud of it and are investing heavily into it. And I think it's just a small example of where this can go.
In India, there is a lot of discussion around the new broadcasting bill, which could bring YouTube under the radar of the government. How do you react to this?
It's probably too early for me to comment on it. We're reviewing the proposed bill and we look forward to continuing to have the conversations with our stakeholders in government around it. Generally, we've had a very consultative approach about those types of things. We want to make sure that our role in supporting the amazing creator economy that exists here in India remains a positive one, a vibrant one, and that's really my top priority when I meet with stakeholders in government.
YouTube has become an influential
