MrBeast Pulls Out AI Thumbnail Generator Following Backlash, Thumbnail Designers Not Worried
YouTube’s top content creator, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, faced criticism for launching an AI thumbnail generator on his platform, Viewstats. The tool mimicked other creators’ styles, prompting his team to remove it.
The app allowed users to create viral thumbnails by mimicking other creators’ thumbnail styles, including swapping in design elements and faces.
The AI tool has drawn criticism from content creators, including Mutahar (SomeOrdinaryGamers) and PointCrow, who argue it is essentially “stealing” the work of thumbnail artists [1] [2].
AI thumbnails are not YouTube-ready
YouTuber Youri van Hofwegen tested the AI thumbnail generator MrBeast promoted. According to Youri, the thumbnails generated do not meet the standards of viral YouTube thumbnails, including those produced for MrBeast’s channel. He believed that the generated thumbnails do not justify the $80 subscription cost of the thumbnail generator [3].
Thumbnail designers dismiss AI as a threat
Although MrBeast’s popularity has highlighted AI thumbnail generators, thumbnail creators remain unconcerned about competition. FuryGFX, a thumbnail designer, noted inconsistencies in AI generators’ performance, doubting their ability to fully replace human designers. However, they acknowledge that designers effectively using AI outperform those who rely solely on their own skills.
Arbby Dezigns, another thumbnail artist, also finds thumbnail generators useful for brainstorming design ideas, simplifying the design process. Closethoodie, a professional thumbnail artist, observes that, while the tool offers valuable inspiration for thumbnail creation, it simultaneously facilitates the appropriation of others’ creative work. However, they believe human-made designs are superior to AI-generated ones.
MrBeast Takes Down AI Tool Following Backlash
After intense criticism, MrBeast announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he pulled out the Viewstats AI thumbnail tool on June 27 [4]. Instead, he replaced the tool with a funnel that connects creators with real thumbnail artists. “It deeply makes me sad when I do something that, you know, people in the community are upset by,” the creator said.
The Viewstats AI tool provided valuable inspiration for thumbnail design, benefiting both novice and professional users. But as computer technology advances, the rise of AI thumbnail and image generators could threaten artists’ livelihoods. Although AI-generated images are easily identifiable now, posing no immediate threat to thumbnail artists, the distinction may eventually become unclear. The creative industry stands at a crossroads: adapt to this new reality or risk being left behind as AI transforms the very nature of artistic work.
References
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpuXRnnGoZ4
[2] https://x.com/PointCrow/status/1936448724559126892
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7rLyT2mP0c
[4] https://x.com/MrBeast/status/1938410924253274473