YouTube has announced a big AI update to improve how older, low-resolution videos look on today’s screens. The company announced that it will start automatically upscaling millions of videos to HD quality, with plans to expand the feature to 4K in the near future.
The new capability, called “Super Resolution,” uses artificial intelligence to improve the visual quality of videos originally uploaded below 1080p, including those as low as 240p. By analysing each frame, YouTube’s AI can add missing details, improve clarity, and sharpen edges. It is said to make even decade-old uploads appear crisp and more watchable on modern TVs, phones, and desktops.
Initially, the AI upscaling will be applied to videos played on YouTube’s TV app, which has turned out to be the fastest-growing screen segment for the platform. It will later expand to web and mobile playback. When available, viewers will see a “Super Resolution” option in the video quality settings, allowing them to switch between the original upload and the AI-enhanced version.
Importantly, YouTube will preserve all original video files, ensuring creators’ uploads remain untouched. Apart from that, both creators and viewers will have control over whether to use the AI-upscaled version or stick with the original.
