A Kapwing study of 15,000 top YouTube channels finds that more than 20% of videos shown to new users are AI-generated “AI slop”—low-quality, engagement-farming content.

Among the most-watched AI slop channels, the United States hosts Cuentos Facinantes with roughly 5.95 million subscribers and about 1.28 billion views, while India’s Bandar Apna Dost leads in total views at around 2.07 billion and an estimated $4.25 million in annual ad revenue.

Overall annual revenue from AI-generated views is estimated at about $117 million, highlighting strong monetization potential despite policy tensions.

Experts warn the flood of AI slop could normalize misinformation and manipulation, with traditional creators feeling squeezed as AI-driven content crowds out human-made work.

The rise of AI-generated content is reshaping multiple online spaces—video feeds, writing, and workplace communications—prompting platforms to offer filters and discussions about quality and authenticity.

The piece calls for greater transparency and accountability from both creators and platforms as AI slop alters YouTube’s content ecosystem.

These videos are often repetitive and plotless, produced en masse via prompts, signaling a shift toward algorithm-driven rather than story-driven content.

Not all AI use is low-effort; some creators blend AI with real creativity to produce high-quality content, indicating a nuanced role for AI in video production.

The growth of AI slop is aided by low production costs in countries with rising internet access and lower incomes, such as India, Kenya, and Nigeria.

The phenomenon is a globally distributed trend with implications for platform quality, user experience, and mental health, as AI slop gains traction.

Some AI-generated videos depict disasters or other sensational scenes with calming audio to maximize view time and ad revenue.

Creators leverage AI tools and niche networks (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord) to monetize attention, often from middle-income countries where YouTube earnings exceed local wages, though transparency is inconsistent and scams exist.