YouTube launches AI agent to help creators revitalize old content

On September 23, 2026, YouTube introduced an updated AI tool during its annual Made on YouTube event. The platform unveiled a new AI agent designed to assist creators in optimizing their channels by analyzing past videos. This tool can identify content that is gaining renewed interest, aligns with current events, or is trending, and suggests changes to thumbnails or titles to attract new viewers. According to Amit Hani, YouTube's Creator Products Vice President, the AI agent also helps creators analyze their audience demographics and data, enabling them to prepare for brand collaborations and secure potential sponsorships. The tool can generate thumbnails and titles directly from video content and provide feedback on creators' own thumbnails. During testing through YouTube Studio, different audiences may see different content. The dynamic thumbnail tool allows up to three images per video, with YouTube selecting the most suitable image for each audience to increase watch time. Creators can also test different video versions with varying openings, content, or structures, and the system will compare their performance. The platform will push these versions to a small audience and select the one with the highest watch time, either by the creator or automatically after seven days.