YouTube has recently announced two new AI tools as part of its ongoing experimental efforts. The first tool is a conversational AI chatbot that aims to provide users with more information about the videos they are watching. The second tool is an AI-powered comment categorization feature that organizes video comments into individual topics.
The conversational AI tool, as described by Google, is designed to answer questions about a video and recommend related content. It can also quiz users on specific topics if they are watching an educational video. To access the chatbot, users can click on a button labeled “Ask” below the video. The tool is currently available in English, on select videos, on Android devices, and to Premium subscribers in the US who are over the age of 18. Users can choose from pre-generated prompts or write their own prompts.
YouTube previously announced its AI experiment to auto-generate video summaries in July. However, the new conversational AI tool seems to have a broader scope, providing not just summaries but also responses to specific questions and additional information about the video being watched.
The second AI tool focuses on comment categorization. It aims to sort a video’s comments into individual topics to make it easier for video creators to engage with their audience and create new content based on the discussions happening in the comment section. This feature is currently an experiment and will be available on a limited number of videos with large comment sections. Users can access it through a new “Topics” button alongside existing options to sort comments by “Top” or “Newest.”
YouTube acknowledges that these AI tools are still in the experimental phase and may not always produce accurate or satisfactory results. The video platform will need to be cautious when it comes to comment categorization, as it must prevent its generative AI from promoting negative or inappropriate content from heated comment sections.
YouTube emphasizes the potential benefits of these AI tools for video creators, who can use comment summaries to quickly engage with their audience and gain inspiration for new content based on the discussions happening in the comment section.
Premium subscribers can try out these new AI features by visiting youtube.com/new. The comment categorization feature is available for testing now, while the chatbot will be available for testing in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, YouTube’s latest AI experiments include a conversational AI chatbot and an AI-powered comment categorization feature. These tools aim to provide users with more information about videos and organize comment discussions for video creators. While still in the experimental phase, these features have the potential to enhance user experience and engagement on the platform.