YouTube’s latest experiment brings its conversational AI tool to TVs

Source: TechCrunch

YouTube expands conversational AI to TVs

The race to advance conversational AI in the living room is heating up, with YouTube now bringing its tool to smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. This experimental feature, previously limited to mobile devices and the web, allows users to ask questions about content without leaving the video they’re watching.

According to YouTube’s support page, eligible users can click the “Ask” button on their TV screen to summon the AI assistant. The feature offers suggested questions based on the video, or users can use their remote’s microphone button to ask anything related to the video—e.g., recipe ingredients or the background of a song’s lyrics—and receive instant answers without pausing or leaving the app.

Availability and supported languages

• Eligibility: Select group of users over 18.
• Languages: English, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.

YouTube first launched this conversational AI tool in 2024 to help viewers explore content in greater depth. The expansion to TVs comes as more Americans now access YouTube through their television than ever before. A Nielsen report from April 2025 found that YouTube accounted for 12.4 % of total television audience time, surpassing major platforms like Disney and Netflix.

Competitor developments

Amazon Alexa+ on Fire TV

Amazon rolled out Alexa+ on Fire TV devices, enabling users to engage in natural conversations, ask for tailored content recommendations, hunt for specific scenes in movies, or inquire about actors and filming locations.

Roku AI voice assistant

Roku has enhanced its AI voice assistant to handle open‑ended questions about movies and shows, such as “What’s this movie about?” or “How scary is it?” See the details on the Roku support page.

Netflix AI search

Netflix is testing a generative‑AI‑powered search experience. More information is available in the TechCrunch article.

Recent YouTube AI enhancements

• Video upscaling: An AI feature that automatically enhances videos uploaded at lower resolutions to full HD. Details in the article about improving the TV experience with AI.
• Comments summarizer: Helps viewers catch up on video discussions.
• AI‑driven search results carousel: Provides AI‑generated overviews of search results. See the announcement on the AI overviews carousel.
• AI‑generated Shorts: In January, YouTube announced that creators will soon be able to make Shorts using AI‑generated versions of their own likeness. Read more here.
• Apple Vision Pro app: Last week, YouTube launched a dedicated app for the Apple Vision Pro, letting users watch content on a theater‑sized virtual screen in an immersive environment. Details in the TechCrunch launch story.