Santa Ana, California-based entrepreneur Charlie Chang spent years posting finance videos on YouTube before he made a profit.

Today, Chang’s media business oversees more than 50 YouTube channels, along with other digital sites, and generates $3 million to $4 million in annual revenue, he said.

But lately, he’s been faced with a new concern: that YouTube’s moves in artificial intelligence will eat into his business.

“The fear is there, and I’m still building the channels, but I am preparing, just in case my channels become irrelevant,” Chang, 33, said. “I don’t know if I’m gonna be building YouTube channels forever.”

YouTube’s parent company, Google, is using a subset of the platform’s videos to train AI applications, including its text-to-video tool Veo. That includes videos made by users who have built their livelihoods on the service, helping turn it into the biggest streaming entertainment provider in the U.S.

The move has sparked deep tensions between the world’s biggest online video company and some of the creators who helped make it a behemoth. Google, creators say, is using their data to train something that could become their biggest competitor.

The schism comes at a pivotal time for Google, which is in a race with rivals including Meta, OpenAI and Runway for dominance in the market for AI-driven video programs. Google has an advantage due to YouTube’s huge video library, with more than 20 billion videos uploaded to its platform as of April.

Many creators worry such tools could make it easier for other people to replicate the style of their videos, by typing in text prompts that could produce images or concepts similar to what popular creators produce. What if AI-generated videos became more popular than their material? Creators say they can’t opt out of AI training and that Google does not compensate them for using videos for such purposes.

“It makes me sad, because I was a big part of this whole creator economy, and now, it’s literally being dismantled by the company that built it,” said Kathleen Grace, a former YouTube employee who is now chief strategy officer at Vermillio, a Chicago-based company that tracks people’s digital likenesses and intellectual property.

“I think they should be with pitchforks outside San Bruno.”

YouTube, founded in 2005, was built on creators posting content. At first, the user-generated videos were amateurish. But eventually, creators got more sophisticated and professional, doing more elaborate stunts and hiring staff to support their productions.

Key to YouTube’s early success was its investment in its video creators. The San Bruno, California-based company shares ad revenue with its creators, which can be huge. That business model has kept creators loyal to YouTube. As they grew their audiences, that in turn increased advertising revenue for both YouTube and creators.

Video creators are typically not employees of YouTube or Google. Many are independents who have built businesses by posting content, making money through ads, brand deals and merchandise.

The creator economy is a bright spot amid struggles in the entertainment industry. Last year, there were more than 490,000 jobs supported by YouTube’s creative ecosystem in the U.S., according to YouTube, citing data from Oxford Economics. YouTube has a greater share of U.S. TV viewership than Netflix and the combined channels of Walt Disney Co., according to Nielsen.

YouTube said it has paid more than $70 billion to creators, artists and media companies from 2021 to 2023.

The company has encouraged creators and filmmakers to use Google’s AI tools to help with brainstorming and creating videos, which could make them faster and more efficient. Some creators said they use AI to help hash out concepts, cut down on production costs and showcase bold ideas.

YouTube is also developing tools that will help identify and manage AI-generated content featuring creators’ likeness. Additionally, it made changes to its privacy policy for people to request removal of AI-generated content that simulates them on the platform, said company spokesman Jack Malon.

“YouTube only succeeds when creators do,” Malon said in a statement. “That partnership, which has delivered billions to the creator economy, is driven by continuous innovation—from the systems that power our recommendations to new AI tools. We’ve always used YouTube data to make these systems better, and we remain committed to building technology that expands opportunity, while leading the industry with safeguards against the misuse of AI.”

But already, creators say they are facing challenges from other people who are using AI to re-create their channels, cutting into their revenue and brand recognition.

“They’re training on things that we, the creators, are creating, but we’re not getting anything in return for the help that we are providing,” said Cory Williams, 44-year-old Oklahoma-based creator of Silly Crocodile, a popular animated character on YouTube.

In other cases, people are using AI to make deepfake versions of creators and falsely posing as them to message fans, said Vermillio’s Grace.

When people upload videos to YouTube, they agree to the company’s terms of service, which grants a royalty-free license to YouTube’s business and its affiliates.

But many creators said they were not aware YouTube videos were used to train Veo until they read about it in media reports. Melissa Hunter, chief executive of Family Video Network, a consulting firm for family-focused creators, said tools like Veo didn’t exist when she signed YouTube’s terms of service years ago.

Back in 2012, Hunter’s son (then 8 years old) wanted to start a YouTube channel together. Her son, now 22, is against AI for environmental reasons, so Hunter made those videos private. But Hunter said Google can still see those videos, and she’s concerned they were used to train Veo without her permission.

“It’s frustrating, and I don’t like it, but I also feel totally helpless to do anything,” Hunter said.

While there are other social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram that also support content creators, YouTubers say they have already built large audiences on Google’s platform and are reluctant to leave.

“Creators are in a tough spot where this is the best platform to make money … to build real loyal fans,” said Jake Tran, 27, who makes documentary YouTube videos on money, power, war and crime. “So are you going to give up just because Google is using it to train their AI?”

Last year, Tran’s YouTube business made around $1 million in revenue. Tran is also founder of the Scottsdale, Arizona-based skin-care business, Evil Goods, and together, his businesses employ 40 to 45 part-time and full-time workers.

Other AI companies, including Meta and OpenAI, have come under fire by copyright holders who have accused them of training AI models on their intellectual property. Disney and Universal Pictures sued AI business Midjourney in June for copyright infringement.

Tech industry executives have said that they should be able to train AI models with content available online under the “fair use” doctrine, which allows for the limited reproduction of material without permission from the copyright holder.

Some legal experts think creators might have a case if they decided to take their issue to court.

“There’s room to argue that simply by agreeing to the terms of service, they have not granted a license to YouTube or Google for AI training purposes, so that might be something that could be argued in the lawsuit,” said Mark Lezama, a partner at law firm Knobbe Martens. “There’s room to argue on both sides.”

Eugene Lee, CEO of ChannelMeter, a data and payments company for the creator economy, said he believes the only way creators can win is by using AI, not by fighting against it.

“Creators should absolutely embrace it and embrace it early, and embrace it as part of their production process, script generators, thumbnail generators—all these things that will require human labor to do in a massive amount of time and resources and capital,” Lee said.

Nate O’Brien, a Philadelphia creator who oversees YouTube channels about finance, estimates that his revenue will be flat or decline slightly, in part because it’ll be more challenging to get noticed on YouTube.

“It’s just a numbers game there,” O’Brien said. “But I think generally a person making a video would still perform better or rank better than an AI video right now. In a few more years, it might change.”

To prepare for the growth of AI content, O’Brien has been experimenting with using AI for videos on one of his channels, asking his assistant to take a script based on an existing video he made on a different channel and using AI to voice it. While the views have not outpaced the human-created videos, the AI-generated videos are lower in production cost. One garnered 5,000 views, 27-year-old O’Brien said.

Some creators have opted to share their video libraries with outside AI companies in exchange for compensation. For example, Salt Lake City YouTube creator Aaron de Azevedo, who oversees 20 YouTube channels, said he shared 30 terabytes of video footage in a deal with an AI company for roughly $9,000.

“There’s a good chunk of change,” De Azevedo, 40, said. “It was good, paid for most of my wedding.”

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I tested the Mic 3 with cameras, computers, and smartphones, using both direct connection and receiver connection methods. It paired painlessly with everything I threw at it, from my mirrorless camera to my iPhone, and the audio quality remained consistently excellent across different devices and environments. It’s part of the OsmoAudio system too, meaning the transmitter can directly link with DJI cameras like the Osmo 360, Osmo Action 5 Pro, and Osmo Pocket 3, bypassing the receiver entirely while still offering high-quality audio.

Missing Pieces

The Mic 3 isn’t perfect, but I found little to complain about. The transmitters no longer include a 3.5-mm input for connecting external lavalier microphones, which might frustrate people who prefer to hide their mics completely. DJI has also dropped the Safety Track recording mode that was available on the Mic 2, but it’s entirely possible to rig one up using the available options.

US availability remains uncertain; like other recent DJI products, the Mic 3 isn’t officially launching in America due to ongoing tariff concerns. US consumers may be able to source units through third-party retailers, but that’s far from ideal for a product that should really be widely available. At $329 for the complete two-transmitter, one-receiver, and charging case package, the Mic 3 is actually cheaper than the Mic 2 was at launch, which I think is a remarkably good value for a product that’s superior in almost every way. DJI’s decision to sell individual components separately is welcome too. It means users can start with a basic setup and expand over time, or replace a damaged or lost component without too much fuss.

The DJI Mic 3 essentially combines the best aspects of both the Mic 2 and Mic Mini into a single, well-rounded package. It’s more compact and practical than the Mic 2, and far more advanced than the Mini. For content creators, filmmakers, and podcasters looking for a wireless microphone system that just works, it’s very hard to find fault with it.

The only real question is whether existing Mic 2 owners need to upgrade. If the improved portability and expanded feature set appeal to you, the Mic 3 represents a solid step forward. But the Mic 2 remains an excellent microphone in its own right, so there’s no urgent need to make the switch unless those new features and upgrades genuinely solve problems you’re currently facing.

Dyson’s vacuums are top-tier for various reasons. They’re powerful, easy to maneuver, bagless, lightweight, and more. But a majority of these vacs are also very expensive. If you’ve been waiting for one to go on sale, you’re in luck. Right now, you can get up to $200 off vacuums by using the latest coupons above, free gifts worth up to $70 on Airwrap stylers, up to $380 off with bundle deals, a 20% off Dyson coupon code, and more this month. Save on cordless models on the Dyson website—a majority of which are listed as our top picks in our guide to The Best Dyson Vacuums.

Get a 20% Off Dyson Promo Code

One of the best discounts we’ve seen is this Dyson promo code for 20% off select Dyson technology. Your Dyson coupon code will be sent to your inbox after you sign up for Dyson Owners Rewards, and you can save 20% on various best selling Dyson machines. This single-use code can be used on select vacuums, air purifiers, and hair tools. As a Dyson owner, you’ll get access to other perks like an extra 20% off during Saving Events and exclusive discounts on the latest models.

While Dyson is known to release promo codes throughout the year, another one of our top deals doesn’t require a code to unlock. All you have to do is click the coupon above and select “Visit Dyson” to snag up to $150 off. You’ll then see a section titled “cordless vacuums,” which lists each model on sale, the discounted price, and how much you’re saving. For the full list, click “Shop all cordless vacuum deals.” When you pick the one you want, you’ll see the adjusted amount reflected in your cart at checkout once you add it.

Save up to $200 on Top Dyson Products This Labor Day

Although any money off one of Dyson’s vacuums is great, we always want to make sure you’re choosing the best deal. The Dyson V15 Detect Submarine Absolute is $799 right now ($200 off). For a limited time, purchase the Dyson V8 Absolute –now $160 off—and you’ll get a free gift of a furniture cleaning kit worth $70 of Dyson-engineered accessories to clean surfaces and soft furnishings. This vac has powerful suction, is low noise, and provides deep cleaning with de-tangling technology. There’s also a deal for $200 off (and a free gift worth $70) the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, which we rated an 8/10 WIRED recommends and think it works best for small spaces. For extra context, we ranked the Dyson V15 Detect as the best overall Dyson vacuum because it’s great for people with severe allergies, plus it’s just a great high-performing stick vac.

Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano recommended the Dyson Airwrap, giving it an 8/10 for its multi-functionality, diverse offerings for different hair types while using less heat, and its light weight and easy-to-use design. Dyson hair care deals feature up to $105 off Supersonic hair dryers and complimentary gifts on the Airwrap Multistyler—like a presentation case, detangling comb, and a heat-resistant mat (for a total value over $70). You’ll also get a 20% off coupon for Dyson Chitosan Pre-style cream with your order, no promo code required.

Take your pick from bundle discounts on Dyson Airwraps, Airstraits, Supersonic hair dryers, or Corrale stylers while they’re still in stock, or save up to $150 with refurbished Airwrap options. But if you’re in the mood to splurge, check out special edition launches like the new Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler and dryer in limited-edition colors like Jasper Plum and Blush Pink. These start at $500, but, you can opt for Dyson’s Afterpay and Affirm financing options to break it up into more manageable monthly payments.

Get up to 30% Off When You Shop the Dyson Outlet

Dyson products are pretty much universally beloved for their innovative designs and technology, and are built to last decades. With that craftsmanship and sturdiness comes a steep price tag (you get what you pay for though!). But have no fear, Dyson is a brand for the people, and has an online Dyson outlet section where folks can get certified refurbished Dyson vacuums, hair tools, and air purifiers at up to 30% off (and as a bonus, all of these products are backed by Dyson’s official warranty). Every product is tested, inspected, and restored to like-new condition, so that you can have peace of mind when you buy these steeply discounted products. They have deals on their biggest sellers, like a refurbished Dyson Corrale™ styler straightener for $220 off, refurbished Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner for $110 off, and a refurbished Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean Extra vacuum cleaner for $200 off.

Our Favorite Dyson Cordless Vacuums

Dyson offers tons of different cordless vacuums, so it can feel overwhelming to find the right one. As we mentioned earlier, a bunch of the cordless vacuums on sale are WIRED-approved. There’s the V12 Detect Slim (8/10, WIRED Recommends) which is the best for small spaces; the Dyson V8 for those on a budget; and the Gen5Detect Absolute which is the best upgrade pick. The V7, which is also on sale, is a fine vacuum. But having launched in 2017, it’s a much older model that isn’t as powerful as the other options. We named the Dyson V15 Detect the best Dyson vacuum in part because of its green laser that shoots out the front of the motorized head, which illuminates the dust particles in your path. A sensor inside the vacuum counts the number of particles the V15 is sucking up and tells you the particle sizes on the LCD. The same sensor automatically adjusts the power level to match how gnarly your floors are.You can read more about our experiences with each one in our Dyson buying guide.

Shop the Latest Dyson Hair Styling Technology

The Dyson Corrale is one of our favorite Hair Straighteners (we rated it an 8/10) because its flexing plates straighten hair better. It also has a helpful screen, lower heat options which mean less damage to hair, it’s conveniently cordless and also curls hair well. The professional version is available right now and comes with 2 complimentary gifts at checkout.

We loved the wet-to-dry straightener, Dyson Airstrait straightener, which we gave a 8/10 because it achieves great performance without heat plates. It also has a bunch of lower heat options, multiple styling settings, and it cuts the time used for hair routine in half. It also can be used on wet or dry hair, both dries and straightens, and even has an Auto-Standby mode for a greater sense of safety.