At the YouTube Impact Summit, YouTube shared new economic impact findings along with a set of AI-driven tools, partnerships, and safety updates aimed at strengthening India’s creative and knowledge economies. According to a new Oxford Economics report released at the event, YouTube’s creative ecosystem contributed more than ₹16,000 crores to India’s GDP last year and supported over 930,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
The platform announced collaborations with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), alongside a set of new AI-enabled features. The initiatives are positioned to support skills development, expand access to authoritative health information, and enhance digital well-being. Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India, YouTube, said, "Our impact isn't just about views; it’s about livelihoods and shared economic growth. We see this when 63% of our monetizing creators agree YouTube is their primary source of revenue. Our role is to provide the infrastructure for that success. That is why, we’re forging strategic partnerships that build skills and launching new AI tools that empower the next wave of entrepreneurs - all built with our commitment to responsibility at the core."
Addressing the summit, Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, noted the relevance of digital platforms in strengthening public access to information and opportunities. She said, "It is encouraging to see platforms like YouTube align with the Ministry's core missions by creating pathways to credible information, economic independence, and digital literacy. Through a collaborative approach with platforms like YouTube to provide tools supporting entrepreneurship and a safer online experience, we are strengthening a Digital India where women can innovate and lead, and children can learn and grow, securely."
With 98% of Indian users reporting that they use YouTube to learn or gather information, the company introduced initiatives aimed at professional training and creative skilling. Through its partnership with IICT, YouTube will support students preparing for careers in animation, VFX, gaming, comics and extended reality. Efforts include industry-led knowledge-sharing sessions, funding for AI-enabled creative projects, and guidance for the institute’s first official YouTube channel. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, said, "India’s creative industry is at a pivotal moment, and AI is set to redefine storytelling. This partnership with YouTube is essential to bridge the gap between the classroom and the global stage, giving our students direct access to the technology and expertise they need to lead the next wave of Indian animation, film, and gaming."
YouTube also announced a partnership with the College of Nursing at AIIMS to make professional nursing training courses available on the platform. These modules, covering topics such as wound care and hospital infection control, will reach more than 5,000 students and practicing nurses across India. Dr. Latha Venkatesan, Principal at College of Nursing, AIIMS, said, “Digital learning is a powerful tool for scaling access to quality education. This partnership with YouTube allows us to take AIIMS' trusted curriculum beyond our campus walls and empower nurses across the country with the skills they need to deliver excellent patient care."
Several new platform features were also announced. YouTube introduced its conversational AI tool, which allows viewers to ask questions and receive instant answers within the video player. The tool is initially available in English, with Hindi support to follow. To strengthen access to verified health content, YouTube expanded its First Aid shelves in English and Hindi, placing credible medical videos at the top of search results for critical situations. The platform also introduced a new daily limit option for scrolling on Shorts, adding to its existing youth-well-being safeguards.
Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said: " India's culture is our greatest treasure, and digital platforms like YouTube are our greatest tool to share it. When creators showcase our regional arts, highlight the work of local artisans, or guide viewers through our historic monuments, they become digital ambassadors for our heritage. This synergy is crucial for advancing India's creative economy and showcasing our rich cultural tapestry to a global audience. Together, we are building a vibrant creative economy and ensuring India’s rich heritage continues to inspire the world. "
For creators, YouTube announced wider availability of AI-powered tools, including ‘Edit with AI’ within the YouTube Create app, designed to speed up first-draft edits. Additionally, YouTube’s likeness detection technology—first announced at Made on YouTube—will now be available in open beta to all creators in the YouTube Partner Program, enabling them to identify and request removal of unauthorized AI-altered videos using their image.
Reflecting on these commitments, Gunjan Soni added, "India is not just a market; it's a source of global innovation and culture. The creativity we see here is extraordinary. By bringing our best AI technology and partnering with incredible institutions like IICT and AIIMS, we're not just investing in a platform; we're investing in the ingenuity of the Indian people. The future of the internet is being built right here, and we are proud to be a part of it."
Taken together, the announcements highlight YouTube’s evolving role in India’s digital ecosystem, not only as a content platform, but as a partner in skills development, health information access, and creator protection, alongside its growing economic footprint.
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