Popular YouTuber MrBeast has taken down a new AI thumbnail tool after strong backlash from other content creators, who accused it of copying their work.
MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, launched the tool last week to help smaller YouTubers design better video thumbnails. He said his goal was to make content creation easier by removing the guesswork and offering quick image suggestions using artificial intelligence.
But many creators felt the tool crossed the line. It allowed users to insert themselves into thumbnails that looked like those made by other creators, raising concerns that it copied designs without permission.
PointCrow, a YouTuber whose real name is Eric Morino, said the tool “can steal hard work without a thought.” He added that it seemed the tool had been trained on thumbnails made by other creators without asking them.
“It fundamentally hurts creators as a whole,” PointCrow said, even though he agreed that the idea of helping new creators was good.
Another big YouTuber, Jacksepticeye, also spoke out against the tool. He and others warned that AI tools like this one could damage creativity and take away credit from real artists.
In response, MrBeast admitted he had “missed the mark” and removed the tool from his analytics platform called Viewstats. He said he would replace it with links to real artists who could be hired to design thumbnails.
“I care more than any of you could ever imagine about the YouTube community,” MrBeast posted on X. “It deeply makes me sad when I do something that people in the community are upset by.”
He explained that his aim was to help, not harm, and promised to stop any project that creators don’t support.
MrBeast is the world’s most-followed YouTuber, with over 385 million subscribers. He is known for giving away large sums of money, creating massive games, and building tools for other creators. But this latest incident is not his first controversy.
Earlier this year, he faced backlash over filming at Mayan pyramids in Mexico. He also had to apologise when fans complained about a poorly organized event in Las Vegas held in his name.
Despite these troubles, MrBeast remains one of the most powerful and highest-paid figures in the online video world.
