YouTube Will Let You Opt Out of AI Upscaling on Low-Res Videos

Why It Matters

By giving creators control over AI‑enhanced upscaling, YouTube addresses prior backlash while improving the TV viewing experience, which could drive higher engagement and new revenue streams from shopping integrations.

Summary

YouTube announced that videos uploaded in 240p‑720p will be automatically upscaled to HD using AI, with 4K upscaling planned, but both creators and viewers can opt out and original files will be preserved. The rollout includes a new “super resolution” label in settings and applies only to videos not already remastered to 1080p. In parallel, YouTube is expanding thumbnail limits to 50 MB for 4K images, testing larger video uploads, and adding TV‑focused features such as instant QR‑code shopping and immersive homepage previews. The changes target the platform’s fastest‑growing surface – TV screens – to improve visual quality and commerce opportunities.