YouTuber MrBeast has discontinued an AI-powered thumbnail creation tool offered through his ViewStats Pro service after facing backlash from the creative community over its potential to undercut working artists. The AI tool, designed to help creators generate thumbnails for YouTube videos, drew criticism shortly after launch. Many artists expressed concern that such tools threaten their livelihood, as generative AI increasingly replaces traditional creative work at lower cost.
Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok have made it easier than ever to create images and videos, straining opportunities for illustrators and designers. Thumbnail design is a critical aspect of YouTube content creation, often determining a video’s success. For many freelance artists, creating these visuals provides a steady source of income, something they feared could vanish with widespread AI adoption.
“I missed the mark”
“I thought people were going to be pretty excited about it, but I definitely missed the mark,” said MrBeast in a video shared on social media. Donaldson, who operates the world’s largest YouTube channel with over 400 million subscribers, acknowledged the misstep and the community’s concerns. “It deeply makes me sad when I do something that, you know, people in the community are upset by,” he added.
In response to the criticism, MrBeast said the AI tool has been removed and replaced with a feature that directs users to portfolios of real thumbnail artists, allowing creators to commission them directly. “We are turning this negative situation into something positive that helps artists generate more income doing what they love,” he said. “I care more than any of you could ever imagine about the YouTube community… and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
MrBeast emphasised his long-standing support for thumbnail artists, claiming, “I guarantee you, I have spent more money on thumbnail artists than any other YouTuber in the world, probably more than the top 100 creators combined.” He also revealed that he employs a team of artists and is actively looking to hire more. “With ViewStats, my goal is to build tools that help creators, and if creators don’t want the tools, no worries. It’s not that big of a deal.”