YouTube is introducing two AI-powered features aimed at improving how users find and engage with video content. The first is a conversational AI tool, and the second is an AI-driven search results carousel.
The conversational AI feature, which is currently limited to Premium members but will soon expand to some non-Premium users in the US, adds an AI chat interface below video descriptions. Identified by a Gemini Diamond icon, it allows viewers to interact with the video in a more dynamic way. Users can ask the AI questions about the video, request a summary, or get suggestions for related content. While the idea is to make video exploration more interactive, some users may find it intrusive, as it shifts focus away from the traditional viewing experience and towards AI-mediated browsing.
Alongside conversational AI, YouTube is rolling out a search results carousel that leverages AI to curate video recommendations with brief summaries. For example, when searching for topics like the best beaches in Hawaii, users might see an AI-generated carousel presenting short clips from multiple videos, each with a concise title and description highlighting specific features, such as snorkeling spots or volcanic beaches. The carousel plays these clips sequentially, and users can tap individual thumbnails to go directly to the corresponding video segment. This format is similar to the Stories feature on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Currently, the AI-generated carousel is only available to YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States and appears mainly for searches related to shopping, travel, and local activities when using the YouTube mobile app. Its effectiveness will depend on how accurately the AI can interpret search intent and deliver relevant results, an area where YouTube has faced strong competition from TikTok’s algorithmic approach.
Both updates indicate YouTube’s continued push to integrate AI into its platform, aiming to enhance search and discovery, though not all users may find the conversational tool necessary for their viewing habits.
