YouTube is celebrating its 20th birthday by stepping up as the top player in the US media world. The video-sharing giant is betting big on artificial intelligence, or AI, to help creators make amazing content. This move comes as YouTube grows faster than old-school giants like Disney. In simple terms, YouTube is changing how videos are made and watched, making it easier for everyday people to become stars. Let’s break down this exciting story.
1. YouTube’s Huge Growth and Shift from Amateur Videos
Twenty years ago, YouTube started as a simple site where young people uploaded shaky, low-budget clips from their phones. It was fun but not professional. Today, it’s totally different. YouTube now has 2.7 billion users around the world. Even big stars like British singer Dua Lipa use it to share high-quality videos. For many Americans, YouTube is the main way to watch TV shows and movies.
Experts say YouTube will beat Disney’s media earnings this year. Disney has been the king of entertainment for a long time, but YouTube is catching up fast. According to data from Nielsen, in July 2025, YouTube grabbed 13.4% of US TV watching time. Disney only had 9.4%. Analysts from MoffettNathanson think YouTube’s money from ads and subscriptions will top Disney’s nearly $60 billion from last year. Alphabet, Google’s parent company that owns YouTube, reported over $50 billion in YouTube revenue for the four quarters ending in September 2024. This shows how YouTube has become a real business powerhouse.
2. AI as the Key to Future Content Creation
At the Made on YouTube event on Tuesday, September 17, 2025, in New York, company leaders shared their big plans. Owned by Google, YouTube wants to rule media for the next 20 years with the help of AI. The event focused on video creators as the new stars of entertainment. No more bosses from big media companies telling them what to do. Instead, AI tools will free creators to make what they want.
YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, said AI won’t take away jobs. “These are tools, and really just that,” he explained. He stressed that no big studio or tech firm will control fun and shows in the future. Mohan sees making YouTube videos as a real job – one that’s stable and respected. With Google’s money and top AI skills, YouTube is pulling ahead. This is a big change from 2023, when Hollywood stars went on strike to fight AI in movies. YouTube says AI helps, not hurts.
3. New AI Tools to Help Creators Shine
The event showed off way more new features than last year – three times as many, in fact. Over 30 tools were revealed, and most use AI to make video-making faster and better. For example, AI can add shopping links right into videos so viewers can buy things they see. It can also edit lots of clips into a rough video super quick.
Other cool ideas include AI-made videos to go with podcasts that only have sound. There’s even a tool that turns speech into songs. These tools let creators dream big without needing fancy equipment. Amjad Hanif, a YouTube vice president in charge of creator products, said the team uses AI to come up with ideas faster. This speedy development is why so many new things are coming out now.
4. Success Stories of Top YouTube Creators
To show how it works, YouTube brought in famous creators like Dua Lipa, Mark Rober, Smosh, and Brandon B. Each has at least 16 million subscribers – that’s as many fans as some movie stars have on social media. These people are like the new late-night TV hosts, but with way more viewers. Traditional TV shows are losing fans, but YouTube stars are winning them over, especially with young people.
Dua Lipa said on stage that YouTube helps her connect closely with fans. Some creators have earned so much – YouTube paid out over $100 billion to them in the last four years – that they’re building their own studios like in Hollywood. They make pro-level videos that look just as good as big movies. When asked about using AI, Lipa’s team didn’t comment right away, but it’s clear these tools will help stars like her grow even more.
5. Why YouTube is Beating Traditional Media
YouTube’s rise isn’t just luck. It’s because of smart moves and tech like AI. While Disney and others stick to old ways, YouTube lets anyone join in. Creators don’t need a big network; they just need good ideas and these new tools. This opens doors for new careers in video-making. As AI gets better, more people will see YouTube videos as their main entertainment.
The event made it clear: YouTube isn’t just a site anymore. It’s the leader in US media, and AI is the secret weapon. With billions of users and huge earnings, it’s set to keep growing. For creators, this means more chances to succeed without limits.
In summary, on its 20th birthday, YouTube is proving it’s the future of media. By using AI to empower creators, it’s leaving competitors behind and making video careers real for everyone. Watch out, world – YouTube is just getting started.
