MrBeast Is Terrified: AI Video, Sora 2, and the Imminent Collapse of the Creator Middle Class

Tune into our latest episode where we discuss the "scary times" facing the creator industry due to artificial intelligence. We explore the concerns voiced by top YouTube creator MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, regarding AI’s potential impact on creators’ livelihoods.

MrBeast, who holds the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ 2025 list of top creators with $85 million in earnings and 634 million followers, has an outsized influence on the industry. His public questioning of whether AI poses an existential threat to his business suggests that smaller creators are likely even more worried. He openly wondered how AI-generated videos could affect the "millions of creators currently making content for a living".

This conversation is driven by recent technology launches, including OpenAI’s Sora 2, a new version of its audio and video generator. This includes a mobile app that lets users create AI, including videos of themselves, which are shared in a TikTok-style vertical feed and quickly became a major hit on the U.S. App Store.

We also look at how major platforms are adapting. YouTube has embraced AI, launching editing tools that allow creators to generate AI videos using its video model Veo to animate still photos or apply different styles. YouTube has also infused AI into its product for functions such as making highlights from Live videos or podcasts.

Despite his recent concerns, MrBeast has been involved with AI himself. He faced backlash after releasing an AI tool for video thumbnails, which he subsequently removed from his platform Viewstats, promising to replace it with links to human artists available for commission. His company’s philanthropy arm has also invested in AI at times.

Finally, we dive into the industry debate: Is AI video creation a novelty that will turn everyone into a creator, or will the best content still demand a human creative mind to correctly prompt the tool? We examine the risks to creators' reputation and fan trust if they are revealed to be using AI without disclosure, especially since some view AI videos as low-quality content, often dubbed “slop”.