❓WHAT HAPPENED: A report by Kapwing reveals that low-quality AI-generated videos, dubbed “brainrot,” have amassed over 63 billion views on YouTube, generating approximately $114 million annually.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Video-editing company Kapwing, AI content creators, YouTube viewers, and researchers such as Emilie Owens and Eryk Salvaggio.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The report surveyed 15,000 YouTube channels globally in 2025, covering countries including South Korea, Spain, and Egypt.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Generative AI is a tool, and like any tool it can be used to make both high- and low-quality content,” said a YouTube spokesman.
🎯IMPACT: AI-generated content is influencing YouTube’s ecosystem, sparking debates about quality, mental health, and the platform’s role in regulating such material.
A report by video-editing company Kapwing has found that low-quality, AI-generated videos, often described as “brainrot,” are becoming a significant part of YouTube’s ecosystem, drawing vast audiences and substantial revenue. According to the study, these videos have accumulated more than 63 billion views and generate an estimated $114 million annually, with researchers suggesting they may make up over 20 percent of content appearing in users’ feeds.
Kapwing reviewed 15,000 of the world’s most popular YouTube channels and identified 278 that publish only AI-generated material. These channels are global in scope and have amassed large followings. Spanish AI-only channels collectively attract about 20 million subscribers, while Egyptian ones have roughly 18 million. In South Korea, trending AI channels have recorded 8.45 billion views—well above the country’s population.
The content typically includes fabricated K-pop music videos, looped AI-created animal clips, and other repetitive visuals designed to maximize watch time. Kapwing named the Indian channel Bandar Apna Dost as the most-viewed AI-only channel, with 2.4 billion views and an estimated $3.9 million in revenue. Another example, Singapore-based Pouty Frenchie, features videos of a French bulldog aimed at children and could generate close to $3.8 million a year.
Researchers and mental health experts have raised concerns about the effects of prolonged exposure to such material. Emilie Owens, a media researcher at the University of Oslo, said young people often turn to “brainrot” videos as a way to escape stress.
Cambridge University researcher Eryk Salvaggio warned that AI-generated content spreads easily and is often designed to provoke outrage. The Newport Institute, a U.S. mental health organization, has cautioned that excessive consumption could contribute to behavioral addiction and harm cognitive skills such as decision-making and problem-solving.
A YouTube spokesman responded to the findings by saying, “Generative AI is a tool, and like any tool it can be used to make both high- and low-quality content. We remain focused on connecting our users with high-quality content, regardless of how it was made.” The company added that it continues to enforce community guidelines and remove policy-violating videos.
The debate over AI’s impact extends beyond online video. Concerns about safety at the highest levels of AI development have been highlighted by comments attributed to an OpenAI scientist who reportedly said, “We’re definitely going to build a bunker before we release AGI,” reflecting anxiety over artificial general intelligence.
Other research has linked AI-powered pricing systems to higher grocery costs for consumers, while lawsuits and advocacy groups have warned about the mental health risks of intense AI chatbot use among teenagers.
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