MrBeast’s AI tool for generating YouTube thumbnails was unveiled just a week ago, but it has since been taken down. The most subscribed YouTuber globally, Jimmy Donaldson, presented the tool on his YouTube creator assistance site, Viewstats. This AI thumbnail generator, offered to paying Viewstats Pro members, aimed to help creators with smaller followings in producing video thumbnails. Nevertheless, backlash followed, with creators such as Jacksepticeye and PointCrow, in addition to numerous X users, accusing Donaldson of developing a tool that could jeopardize artists’ incomes.
The AI thumbnail generator has now been deleted from Viewstats, with Donaldson posting a video statement on X on Thursday evening.
“A week ago I launched an AI thumbnail tool that assists small creators in crafting better thumbnails,” he mentions in the video. “I expected people would be quite enthusiastic about it, but I clearly misjudged,” Donaldson conveys in the clip. “I’ve read all your feedback, and I’ve been reflecting a lot on it, so we’ve just implemented some changes that I believe you all will appreciate.”
Donaldson revealed that rather than the AI tool, Viewstats users would now encounter an online prompt to hire a human artist for thumbnail design.
“From here on out, there is no AI thumbnail tool. Anyone who signs up for Viewstats Pro will find that there is no AI thumbnail tool; it simply doesn’t exist, we removed it. Moreover, I wanted to take it a step further to genuinely demonstrate to artists that I care: If you visit Viewstats.com, in our More Tools section, it will indicate ‘Hire a Thumbnail Artist’, and by clicking that, you’ll be directed to a page showcasing artists’ portfolios where you can commission a real thumbnail artist to create a genuine thumbnail for you.”
MrBeast has encountered a series of controversies recently. Fans have voiced complaints regarding their experience at his immersive Las Vegas event, while his Prime Video series Beast Games was renewed despite allegations of mismanagement on the set.