MrBeast’s AI Thumbnail Service Sparks Controversy Over Use of Others’ Faces

Popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has withdrawn a new AI tool for creating thumbnail images that allowed users to mimic the styles of other creators.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 it and added a funnel so content creators can find real thumbnail artists to commission,” stated the YouTuber with over 400 million subscribers.

The tool, priced at $80 per month, enabled the creation of thumbnails by imitating 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. https://t.co/P2gJLrJax9

— Jacksepticeye (@Jacksepticeye) June 21, 2025

“What the hell… And he even used my logo in the promotion. I hate what this platform is turning into. To hell with AI,” commented the YouTuber known as Jacksepticeye.

The tool remains available on ViewStats, but the face-swapping feature will be restricted to creators using their own images in thumbnails.

Viewstats, a tool for YouTube created by Donaldson and Chucky Appleby, assists creators in growing their channels and enhancing videos with built-in analytics features.

Earlier, a deepfake video went viral on X, featuring Donald Trump calling for the return of velociraptors and pterodactyls to patrol the Mexican border.

Back in January, Hong Kong law enforcement arrested 31 members of a criminal group involved in fraud using deepfake technologies.