YouTube announced a comprehensive suite of AI-enabled features, educational partnerships and safety initiatives at the annual YouTube Impact Summit, underscoring the platform’s deepening commitment to India’s creative and digital ecosystem. The event also highlighted new findings from Oxford Economics, revealing that YouTube contributed over ₹16,000 crore to India’s GDP in the last year, supporting more than 930,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Strengthening India’s Creator Economy
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director for YouTube India, emphasized that the platform’s influence extends far beyond entertainment metrics.
“Our impact isn’t just about views; it’s about livelihoods and shared economic growth,” she said, noting that 63% of monetizing creators consider YouTube their primary income source. She added that YouTube is deepening its support infrastructure through strategic partnerships and advanced AI tools designed to empower the next generation of digital entrepreneurs.
Government Endorsement for Digital Inclusion
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, praised YouTube’s focus on credible information, online safety and empowerment. She highlighted the platform’s alignment with the goals of Digital India, especially in advancing economic independence, entrepreneurship and safe digital environments for women and children.
Expanding Knowledge Access Through Partnerships
With 98% of Indian users relying on YouTube for knowledge and information, the platform announced two major collaborations:
Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT): The partnership will train students in Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality through expert-led sessions, AI-powered project funding and support for IICT’s YouTube content ecosystem.
IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar said the collaboration will bridge the gap between classrooms and the global creative industry.
AIIMS Nursing Programme: YouTube will work with AIIMS to expand access to high-quality nursing education through digital modules focused on clinical skills such as wound care and infection control.
Dr. Latha Venkatesan of AIIMS highlighted digital learning as a powerful enabler of nationwide capacity-building in healthcare.
New AI Tools and Safety Features
YouTube has introduced several new features to enhance user experience and support responsible viewing:
Conversational AI within the video player, enabling users to ask questions and receive instant responses (Hindi support coming soon).
Expanded First Aid shelves in English and Hindi.
Daily time limits for Shorts to encourage mindful consumption.
Enhanced youth-safety settings for responsible viewing.
For creators, YouTube is launching:
Edit with AI in the YouTube Create app to simplify editing workflows.
Likeness detection tools in open beta to help creators identify and request the removal of AI-generated or altered content misusing their facial identity.
India at the Heart of YouTube’s Global Vision
Gunjan Soni reaffirmed India’s central role in YouTube’s innovation agenda.
“India is not just a market; it’s a source of global innovation and culture,” she noted, adding that YouTube’s AI investments and partnerships with IICT and AIIMS reflect the platform’s belief in India’s creative potential.
Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, echoed this sentiment, praising the platform for amplifying India’s cultural heritage. He described creators as “digital ambassadors” who showcase the nation’s arts, crafts and history to global audiences.
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