Many YouTubers and other digital content creators are selling their unused video footage to artificial intelligence (AI) companies looking for exclusive videos to better train their AI algorithms, often earning thousands of dollars per transaction (Bloomberg News cited industry sources on Friday).
“OpenAI, Alphabet Inc.’s Google, AI media company Moonvalley, and several other AI companies are collectively paying hundreds of content creators for access to their unpublished videos ,” the report said. “That content, which has not been posted anywhere else online, is considered valuable for training artificial intelligence systems because it is unique . ”
AI companies currently pay between $1 and $4 per minute of footage, with prices increasing depending on the quality or format of the video. For example, video shot in 4K costs more, as does nontraditional footage like drone footage or 3D animation, the report said.
The report also added that most of the footage, such as unused videos created for networks like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, is being sold for between $1 and $2 per minute.
Compare realistic side hustles for 2026 by startup cost, fees, flexibility, and income control, with current tax and scam guidance from official sources.
Upgrade your home office ergonomics with current OSHA and NIOSH guidance on chair fit, monitor height, laptop setup, lighting, and movement.
Learn why emotional intelligence matters in leadership, where it helps most, how to strengthen it, and how to tell whether your approach is working.
A practical roadmap for moving into tech without a degree: choose an accessible role, build job-ready skills, prove them with projects, and use hiring feedback to improve.
Build a credible LinkedIn personal brand in 2026 with current profile, content, newsletter, analytics, verification, and visibility guidance from LinkedIn.
Quiet quitting and quiet firing are catchy labels, not diagnoses. Learn what is verified, what depends on context, and what employees and managers can do next.
Fractional executives offer senior leadership without a full-time hire. Learn when the model works, what to ask, and the risks to manage.
Prepare a stronger Q4 raise request with current wage data, timing options, compensation tradeoffs, and scripts for yes, partial, or no outcomes.
Choose a high-income skill you can realistically start before 2026 ends, with current pay data, learning priorities, and a practical self-check.
Build a hybrid work schedule around tasks, team overlap, and measurable outcomes. See sample patterns, warning signs, and when to adjust your plan.
