GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR YouTube is testing a conversational AI tool called Ask YouTube.
Instead of just video lists, you get summaries, key points, timestamps, and curated clips in one view.
The feature is limited to US-based YouTube Premium users (18+) and runs as a test until June 8.
YouTube search has looked the same for what feels like forever. You type in a few words, see a list of thumbnails, and hope the third or fourth video actually helps. Now, though, Google is quietly testing an AI-powered search mode that turns YouTube from a basic video library into more of a tech-savvy concierge, at least for Premium users.
The feature is called Ask YouTube. From today until June 8, US-based YouTube Premium subscribers who are 18 or older can opt in via the YouTube Labs page, the platform said in a help page. When you enable it, a new button shows up in the search bar. Tap it, and instead of just searching, you start a conversation.
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If you ask for something like “short history of the Apollo 11 moon landing,” YouTube will give you a short summary with bullet points, such as the lunar landing date and Armstrong’s first step, instead of just video titles. You’ll also see timestamps in a related video and collections of longer videos and Shorts.
However, The Verge pointed out that one test about a “Steam Controller” gave incorrect information. Anyway, this is still an experiment, not a finished product. It’s best to treat every AI-generated fact with a healthy side of skepticism.
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