Twitch CEO says AI can assist streamers, not replace them

Conn Mc Gillion Published 17/06/2026

Twitch CEO Dan Clancy believes that livestreaming remains more human-focused in the age of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, he said: “AI is trying to take humans out of the equation, and live is one of the formats that keeps humans at the centre. You connect with people. You can understand them. You can see who they are.”

The comments came during a discussion about the future of online communities and digital engagement. Clancy argued that livestreaming offers a different kind of engagement from traditional social media feeds, with real-time interaction and shared experiences creating a stronger sense of connection between users.

Clancy added: “Social media has become antisocial. Sitting and swiping doesn’t make you feel connected to other people. If you think of real-world communities — churches, running clubs — it all comes from shared experiences in real time.”

This is a view that Clancy and Whatnot CEO Grant LaFontaine shared at the conference. Both executives said that real-time engagement between creators and viewers remains central to how their platforms operate and how users interact with online communities.

Both creators believe AI is a tool, not a replacement

Concerns surrounding AI-generated content continue to grow across the technology industry. However, Clancy and LaFontaine said they do not believe AI will replace the human creators who drive activity on their platforms.

LaFontaine described AI as a tool that could help sellers create content and stay connected with audiences when they are not actively streaming. Clancy echoed that view, saying AI could help people “access their creativity” by making content production easier. Both executives also said that data scraping by AI companies has not emerged as a major challenge for their businesses.

Both platforms continue to attract large audiences, with Twitch estimated to have 35 million daily active users and Whatnot drawing several million daily active users. Whatnot also used its financial report to confirm it recorded $8 billion in sales last year, spanning categories such as trading cards, sports cards, women’s fashion and sneakers.

Separately, Twitch has implemented AI-powered features, including stream summaries designed to help viewers catch up when joining broadcasts late, in another sign that the streaming industry is adopting AI technology when it can improve the user experience. However, those tools were not part of the discussion during Clancy’s appearance.

Images credit: Fortune

Conn Mc Gillion

About Conn Mc Gillion

Conn Mc Gillion is an editor and iGaming content specialist with experience across online casino & sweepstakes platforms. He has worked on US facing gambling and promotional content, focusing on clarity, compliance, and user-focused optimisation. Conn’s editorial approach prioritises transparency, accurate promotional breakdowns, and responsible play guidance.

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