Nigeria, April 9 -- YouTube has released a new artificial intelligence feature that allows creators to generate digital versions of themselves for use in short videos.

The update adds to a growing set of AI tools on the platform.

The feature allows users to create a lifelike avatar that can appear and speak like them. According to YouTube, the tool can be used to "generate videos that look and sound like you, safely and securely." Once created, the avatar can be placed into short clips or used to produce entirely new scenes based on written prompts.

To use the feature, creators must be at least 18 years old and have a YouTube channel. They are required to record their face and voice through what the company describes as a "secure 'live...