Overall: Is YouTube becoming more and more difficult to navigate as the platform increasingly encompasses AI-generated “slops”? As many users start asking that question, alphabet-owned companies are doubling, introducing even more AI-powered features aimed at enhancing search and allowing conversational interactions.
Google recently confirmed that two new AI features are coming to YouTube. The company says the latest information is intended to help users find what they are looking for faster and more efficiently, but the most important changes will initially be limited to subscriber payments.
The first new feature will enhance YouTube search capabilities with AI-powered suggestions. When users search for specific topics like shopping or traveling, YouTube now displays recommended video carousels with AI-generated summaries.
For example, searching for “Best Beaches in Hawaii” could potentially return a carousel featuring summer-themed clips, such as snorkeling spots and volcanic beach highlights. YouTube says it's about allowing users to plan their vacations and explore destination-related content through curated AI-assisted recommendations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6coyibrek54
YouTube's AI search results are currently limited to premium subscribers in the US. According to the support document, the experimental feature will be expanded to a random selection of premium users and is available only in English.
The second AI-related feature will affect the previously introduced conversational AI tools on YouTube. This is currently expanding to some non-premium users in the US. Premium members reportedly accepted the tool, asked contextual questions about the video, requested new content recommendations, and explored academic topics more interactively.
YouTube encourages viewers to try out these experimental features if they appear while viewing. Additionally, despite growing concerns about energy use and content quality related to generated AI, Google and Alphabet have committed to introducing more AI capabilities in the future as Google and Alphabet continues to push them to “enhance” almost all online services with chatbots and large language models.
As content creators have discovered, and the company has since been confirmed – YouTube is currently using public videos to help train LLMS and chatbot systems. YouTube says this is a standard practice for improving products, and that agreement is in place between creators and major media companies.
However, based on early responses to AI-generated search results, many users will prefer a platform with less algorithmic interference and less generic and bot-generated comments.
