Get ready for a new era of online age verification. YouTube is rolling out an experimental AI-powered system that can determine your age based on your viewing habits, even if you’ve previously entered incorrect information when creating your account.

The tech giant’s latest move comes in response to growing concerns about minors accessing inappropriate content online. By leveraging artificial intelligence, YouTube aims to create a more nuanced age verification process that goes beyond simple self-reporting.

Here’s how it works: When logged into your account, the AI will analyze your viewing patterns to estimate your age. If the system determines you’re under 18, it will automatically activate several protective measures. These include screen time reminders, privacy warnings, and restricted video recommendations.

For users who feel the AI has incorrectly identified their age, YouTube offers alternative verification methods. You can prove your age by submitting a government ID, credit card, or even a selfie.

This development follows recent legal pressures, including a Supreme Court decision supporting stricter online age verification laws. While the initial rollout will be limited, YouTube expects to expand the system if it proves effective.

Digital rights groups have expressed mixed feelings about the technology. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation worry about potential privacy infringements and potential impacts on free speech.

YouTube’s director of product management, James Beser, emphasized the platform’s commitment to creating safe online experiences for younger users while maintaining their privacy.

The system won’t apply to users watching without an account, who will continue to face automatic content blocks for certain age-restricted material.

As online platforms increasingly grapple with content safety, YouTube’s AI-driven approach represents a significant step towards more intelligent and adaptive age verification methods.