If you are searching for a shortcut to online wealth, two letters now dominate the conversation: AI.

On YouTube, a growing number of channels are earning millions of dollars by producing what critics have labeled "AI slop."

Originally, the word "slop" referred to low-grade food waste fed to animals. Today, it has been repurposed to describe content that is cheaply produced, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, and designed solely to maximize clicks and views rather than provide meaningful value. According to recent research, more than 20 percent of the videos recommended to new YouTube users could fall into this category.

A study conducted by the video-editing platform Kapwing examined the top 100 trending YouTube channels across several countries. In total, researchers analyzed 15,000 highly popular channels and identified 278 that consisted almost entirely of AI-generated slop. Collectively, these channels boast over 220 million subscribers and have accumulated more than 63 billion views.

Unsurprisingly, this massive exposure translates into enormous profits. Kapwing estimates that the highest-earning AI slop channel, an India-based account called Bandar Apna Dost, generates around $4.25 million annually.

Its videos typically feature a hyper-realistic monkey placed in exaggerated, human-like scenarios. Notably, four of the ten most profitable AI slop channels are based in South Korea, each earning at least $2.18 million per year.

Despite concerns about quality, the content itself is not considered harmful. As a YouTube spokesperson explained, generative AI is merely a tool that can produce both valuable and trivial material. Ultimately, responsibility lies with viewers, who must decide what deserves their attention.