Google Vietnam CEO: AI is a 'tool, not a replacement' for creators

Marc Woo, the General Manager of Google Vietnam, stated that AI serves as a supportive tool to enhance creator efficiency rather than replacing original content. He emphasized that YouTube coexists with both short-form and long-form videos, and is the leading platform for 93% of Vietnamese internet users. This statement was made on the sidelines of the first-ever YouTube Festival held in Vietnam. Woo clarified that there is no paradox between offering AI tools for video creation and summarization and YouTube's user-viewership-time-based architecture. He asserted that the era of long-form video is not over; in fact, viewership time on YouTube, especially on large TV screens, is growing significantly in Vietnam, with over 30 million users aged 18 and above accessing YouTube via TV connections as of April. He explained that short-form videos cater to rapid information updates, while long-form videos offer complete and in-depth experiences. Both formats will coexist. AI, he noted, can assist creators in improving work efficiency, such as by extracting multiple short versions from a high-quality long-form video. Regarding young users, Woo stressed the focus on 'quality screen time' over mere duration. YouTube's recommendation algorithms are individually designed for young users, guided by a 'Youth Quality Guidelines' developed with independent experts. Features like automatic break reminders and bedtime reminders are integrated, along with flexible parental controls. Despite competition from other platforms, Woo explained the "YouTube era in Vietnam" message by highlighting three key factors: culture, connection, and commerce. YouTube is becoming integral to Vietnamese culture, showcasing Vietnam to the world and bringing the world to Vietnam. It fosters meaningful interactions between creators and their communities and influences consumer purchasing decisions. Addressing Vietnam's legal framework for cross-border platforms, Woo acknowledged the government's legitimate reasons for adjusting regulations to protect users, given the unprecedented speed and scale of AI-driven changes. Google collaborates with Vietnamese authorities to enhance safety and privacy technologies, implement labeling for AI-generated content, and develop parental control tools. The company also proactively refines its community guidelines and removes millions of violating videos. Citing a survey where 82% of users are willing to purchase based on creator recommendations, Woo highlighted that while content and commerce naturally intertwine, YouTube maintains high content moderation standards, especially for monetization. Participation in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) requires adherence to community guidelines and advertising policies. YouTube Shopping in Vietnam is a selective affiliate marketing program, limiting tagged products to verified items from eligible creators.