YouTube star Casey Neistat says he no longer fully understands what makes him successful on the platform.
Why this is important: AI-powered recommendation systems are making YouTube less predictable, even for the most successful internet bloggers.
Top news: Speaking at the Axios AI+ NY Summit on Wednesday, Neistat said he recently returned to publishing more regularly on YouTube but found the platform fundamentally different from the one on which he built his career.
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His own videos, which he considers mediocre, have received millions of views, while those he considers among his best have not gained widespread popularity.
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«"My work is now driven by an AI algorithm that is optimized for something I no longer understand," Neistat said.
More carefully: Neistat said he has largely avoided using AI in his creative work and sees opportunities in focusing on the "human aspect of filmmaking.".
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Neistat compared the moment to the work of directors like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino, who are valued for their use of practical effects and film stock despite the rise of CGI-dominated blockbusters.
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AI-generated content could be embraced by audiences faster than some expect. Neistat cited the example of Doug Liman's film, which features real actors but uses AI to create scenery and other enhancements in post-production.
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«"There's a tsunami coming," he said. "My advice is always the same: figure out what a boat or a surfboard means to you so you can ride it, embrace it, and find your way through these changes.".
Generally: The success of "Obsession" and "Behind the Scenes" suggests that the next generation of Hollywood talent could emerge on YouTube, Neistat said.
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«"You'll find content creators who have a much better understanding of what audiences want and will start to succeed in the more commercial aspects of media," he said.
What to look out for: Neistat spends most of his time at ModRetro, a handheld gaming system startup founded by Palmer Luckey.
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Neistat said he was drawn to this task because of his growing frustration with endlessly scrolling through his online news feed. He always carries a ModRetro gaming device with Tetris in his pocket.
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«"I have a strong dislike for my phone and most technology," he said. "I have a very complicated relationship with it, and [ModRetro] creates products that are made out of the love of gaming.".
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