Milan, 12 August (LaPresse/AP) – YouTube will begin testing a new age verification system in the United States tomorrow that uses artificial intelligence to distinguish adults from minors based on the type of videos they watch. Initially, the tests will only affect a small portion of YouTube's audience in the United States, but if the system works well in determining the age of viewers as it has in other parts of the world, it will likely become more widespread. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts and will assess age independently of the date of birth entered by the user at the time of registration. If the system flags a logged-in user as under 18, YouTube will apply the normal controls and restrictions already in place on the site to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behaviour deemed inappropriate for their age. Safety measures include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy notices and restrictions on recommended videos. YouTube, owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also does not show personalised ads based on individual tastes if the viewer is under 18. If the system has mistakenly identified a viewer as a minor, the error can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued ID, credit card or selfie. ‘YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we are proud to once again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to ensure safety while preserving the privacy of teenagers,’ wrote James Beser, director of product management for the video service, in a blog post dedicated to the age verification system. Users will still be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but some content will be automatically blocked without proof of age.