YouTube to Explore New Generative AI Features: Introducing a Comments Summarizer and Interactive Conversational Tool

YouTube has announced it will begin testing new generative AI features designed to enhance user experience. Available through its premium subscription service, these innovations allow YouTube users to engage with a conversational AI tool that answers questions about content and offers personalized recommendations. Additionally, a new feature will summarize topics discussed in video comments.

Both features will be accessible through YouTube's experimental hub at youtube.com/new, on an opt-in basis. The conversational AI tool is expected to roll out in the coming weeks, while the topic summarization feature will initially be tested with a small group of users who opt in via the website.

According to YouTube, the conversational tool utilizes advanced language models sourced from YouTube content and broader web information. This tool is designed to help viewers explore deeper insights into videos they are watching. For instance, users can inquire about specific details regarding a video or request suggestions for similar content with prompts like “recommend related content.” These AI-enabled conversations will occur seamlessly during video playback to ensure an uninterrupted viewing experience.

Initially, the feature will be offered exclusively in the U.S. and on Android devices via a new "Ask" option located on the video’s watch page. YouTube Premium members can opt into this pilot program starting today, but the tool will not yet be available across all videos. The current focus is on a select group of users, with broader access expected for Premium subscribers soon.

The comments summarization tool will harness generative AI to categorize and condense discussions from extensive comment sections, allowing viewers to quickly grasp community sentiments. YouTube anticipates this feature will also benefit creators by helping them understand subscriber conversations without the need to sift through each comment. Creators can also remove specific topics, giving them control over their comment sections.

It's important to note that the summarization will only consider publicly published comments, excluding those awaiting review, containing flagged words, or from blocked users. Currently, this experiment is limited to a select number of English language videos.

YouTube plans to evaluate user feedback on the effectiveness of these features over the next several weeks and months. Google has actively incorporated AI technologies across its product suite, from Search to Workspace and consumer apps like Photos and Assistant. Specifically on YouTube, the company has been testing AI-driven ads that capitalize on cultural trends and has introduced various creator-focused AI tools, including music suggestion features, AI dubbing, and “Dream Screen,” a generative tool for creating backgrounds for YouTube Shorts. YouTube Music has also launched AI-generated playlists, and the platform has previously tested AI-generated video summaries and quizzes for educational content.

“These features are experimental, and we understand that perfection might not come immediately. That’s why we’re starting small with limited availability and gathering user feedback,” YouTube stated in its announcement. Users will have the ability to provide feedback directly through the new tools.