YouTube is testing an AI search mode that 'feels more like a conversation'
Source: Engadget
Overview
Google is extending AI‑driven search to more of its products, and the latest test target is YouTube. The experimental feature, called Ask YouTube, lets users pose complex questions and receive “comprehensive results that include video and text, then ask ‑ ups to dive deeper,” according to Google’s YouTube Labs page. The feature is available from today until June 8 for Premium US subscribers who are 18 years or older.
How to Use
- Enable Ask YouTube in your account settings.
- Click the new “Ask YouTube” button in the search bar.
- Choose a prompt suggestion or type your own query (e.g., “plan a 3‑day road trip between San Francisco and Santa Barbara”).
- Review the results, then ask follow‑up questions or select from suggested prompts to explore further.
Test Results
The Verge conducted a quick test. When the prompt “short history of Apollo 11 moon landing” was entered, the tool returned a summary of the mission, accompanied by relevant videos and timestamps. Follow‑up questions produced similar mixed results—some returned concise answers with video links, while others fell back to a plain list of videos akin to a traditional YouTube search.
One query about a Steam Controller generated factually inaccurate information, as noted by The Verge’s Jay Peters.
Reception
Tech companies are enthusiastic about AI, but many users remain skeptical, especially regarding AI‑generated content on YouTube. The AI search function may be better received by paying subscribers—provided it helps them locate high‑quality content more efficiently.