YouTube Pilots Cutting-Edge AI for Enhanced Viewer and Creator Interaction

Google is currently piloting two new artificial intelligence (AI) innovations aimed at improving the experience for both creators and viewers on its YouTube platform.

The first initiative, outlined in a YouTube Help post, introduces an AI capable of structuring sprawling comment sections under long videos into coherent themes. This will enable video creators to better manage and interact with their audience by sorting comments by topic, spotlighting individual remarks, or removing comments pertinent to particular subjects.

Presently, this feature is in its nascent stage, applied to a select number of English-language videos known for their voluminous comment sections. YouTube Premium members have the exclusive option to test this feature as part of YouTube’s suite of experimental functionalities.

The second venture takes a more innovative leap with the trial of a generative AI chatbot. This chatbot is conceived to engage with viewers in real-time as they consume content, reminiscent of Google’s Bard or OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

“YouTube stated, “To help you dive deeper into the content you’re watching, we’re experimenting with a conversational AI tool. This tool lets you get answers to questions about the video you’re watching, recommendations for related content, and more, all without interrupting playback.”

Furthermore, the chatbot is programmed to enhance user engagement, such as devising quizzes for educational content viewers.

This trial is also limited in scope, reaching a small group of users across specific video segments. YouTube anticipates a broader release for Premium subscribers on Android in the United States within the next few weeks.

YouTube has not confirmed if these AI features will become permanent fixtures on the platform. The company has prefaced the announcement with a cautionary note, acknowledging that these experimental features are not failproof and may need adjustments.

As YouTube ventures into the largely uncharted territory of public AI interactivity on a large scale, it remains to be seen how it will address the unpredictable nature of generative AI outcomes.