MrBeast's AI service sparked controversy over generating thumbnails with other people's faces

Popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) has withdrawn a new AI tool for creating thumbnail images that allowed copying the styles of other creators.

Hey! Thanks for all your feedback on the ViewStats AI thumbnail tool, we pulled it and added a funnel for creators to find real thumbnail artists to commission pic.twitter.com/ICrB8NFyuC

— MrBeast (@MrBeast) June 27, 2025

"[…] We removed this and added a funnel so that content creators could find real artists based on previews for orders," said the blogger with over 400 million subscribers on YouTube.

The tool for $80 a month allowed creating thumbnails by mimicking the visual style, logos, and even faces of other YouTubers.

MrBeast's "Viewstats" Company Revolutionizes YouTube with Instant AI Thumbnails

Viewstats has launched an artificial intelligence tool that generates YouTube thumbnails from text prompts, transforming ideas like "stranded on a volcano" into viral images without Photoshop.

It… pic.twitter.com/zfD1Roba4F

— Francisco Perlaza (@franklaza) June 21, 2025

This raised questions regarding consent, originality, and rights to the created content.

What the actual fuck… and he used my logo in the promotion for it too. I hate what this platform is turning into. Fuck AI.

— Jacksepticeye (@Jacksepticeye) June 21, 2025

"What the hell... And he even used my logo in the advertisement. I hate what this platform is turning into. Screw AI," commented the blogger with the nickname Jacksepticeye.

The tool remains available on ViewStats; however, the face replacement feature will be limited for authors using their own image in thumbnails.

Viewstats is a tool for YouTube created by Donaldson and Chaki Epplby. It helps creators grow their channels and enhance videos using built-in analytical features.

Previously, a deepfake video went viral in X, where Donald Trump calls for the return of velociraptors and pterodactyls to patrol the border with Mexico.

Recall that in January, Hong Kong law enforcement arrested 31 members of a criminal gang involved in fraud using deepfake technology.