Google today announced that it is testing two new generative AI features designed to improve the YouTube viewing experience. A select number of YouTube users will have access to these new additions during Google’s testing period.
For YouTube videos with long comment threads, YouTube will use artificial intelligence to organize them into themes or comment topics to facilitate conversation. Google says that creators can use these comment summaries to jump into comment discussions or draw inspiration for new content.
Topics are pulled from published comments, and will not be created from comments held for review or that include blocked words. The comment test is being done on mobile, so users who have access will see a star topic on a small number of videos in English.
YouTube is also gaining a conversational AI tool that is able to provide answers to questions about the video that you’re watching. It can provide background information, offer up suggestions for related content, and more, without interrupting playback. For academic videos, the AI is able to provide quizzes and responses that Google says “encourage deeper understanding.”
Conversational AI is available to a small number of people on a subset of videos, and those who have access will see a star icon.
While some users have access to these options for test purposes, YouTube Premium subscribers can opt in to these new features as the YouTube Premium subscription includes access to experimental features. Comment topics are available to premium members today, while the conversational AI option will be available in the coming weeks.
Google says that the AI features are experimental and that the company “may not always get it right,” which is why these tests are available to a limited number of customers as Google collects feedback.
Popular Stories
iOS 17.2 Coming Later This Year With These 10 New Features for iPhone
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers and public beta testers last week, and the software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we have highlighted 10 of these new features and changes. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in December. Once available, the update can be installed in the Settings app under General → Software…
M3 Pro Chip Barely Faster Than M2 Pro in Unverified Benchmark Result
Apple’s new M3 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU offers only marginally faster CPU performance compared to the M2 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU, according to a Geekbench 6 result spotted today by Vadim Yuryev, co-host of the YouTube channel Max Tech. This is only a single benchmark result, so further results are needed to ensure accuracy. Apple announced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models…
Apple Argued Safari Is Three Different Browsers to Avoid Regulation
Apple recently claimed that Safari is three different browsers in effort to avoid regulation in the European Union (via The Register). The claim came as part of a response to the European Union in August, just before the European Commission designated many of Apple’s iOS, App Store, and Safari as gatekeeper platforms. This classification means that Apple now has to ensure that these…
Apple Expected to Update Entire iPad Lineup Next Year
Apple plans to update its entire iPad lineup throughout 2024, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This means new models of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad can be expected to launch next year. Gurman touched on the lack of new iPads and AirPods heading into the holiday shopping season in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter:Apple could have tried to rush out …
Apple Preparing to Release iOS 17.1.1 Update for iPhone
Apple appears to be internally testing an iOS 17.1.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software in our website’s analytics logs this week. iOS 17.1.1 will almost certainly be focused on bug fixes, but it’s unclear exactly which issues the update will address. The update could include the same fix for Wi-Fi connectivity issues that Apple rolled out in the first iOS 17.2 beta,…
watchOS Update Coming Soon With Fix for Apple Watch Battery Drain
Apple is preparing a fix for an issue causing some Apple Watches to experience excessive battery drain after being updated to watchOS 10.1, the company said today in an internal memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers. In the memo, which MacRumors obtained from multiple sources, Apple said the issue will be fixed in a watchOS update that is “coming soon.” Apple did not provide…