Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
YouTube has introduced new features powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to help users find content and information more easily. Announced on Thursday, the updates include an AI-powered search results carousel and an expansion of the conversational AI tool.
The AI-powered search results carousel was created to make it easier for users to discover videos on shopping, places, and activities. This tool, which is currently only available to YouTube Premium customers in the United States, offers video suggestions alongside brief AI-generated descriptions to help users find what they're looking for. For example, if a user searches for "best beaches in Hawaii," the carousel will include videos of the greatest snorkeling and volcanic beaches, as well as extra vacation planning tips. The goal is to make it easier for consumers to find relevant content immediately.
This feature is comparable to Google AI Overviews, which display AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. While the new carousel feature may make discovery easier for consumers, it may provide a difficulty for YouTube creators. The issue is that if the AI carousel can answer a user's question immediately, they may not feel compelled to click on a video. For creators who rely on views for money, this could result in lower engagement.
This new feature follows a report revealing that Google’s AI Overviews have been decreasing traffic to news websites. YouTube creators might be worried that this could happen to their videos as well, with users relying on AI-generated summaries instead of clicking through to their content.
Along with the search carousel, YouTube is expanding its conversational AI feature. This service, which launched in late 2023, allows viewers to receive content recommendations, video descriptions, and even ask questions about the videos they're watching. For example, if you're watching a roller skating tutorial, the AI tool can summarize the video, suggest relevant information, or even identify the song playing in the background. The program collects information from YouTube and the web using AI models in order to give viewers with more interactive and detailed content.
These AI-powered changes have the goal to improve how users discover and engage with information, providing a faster and more personalized experience. However, they create worries for artists, who may witness decreasing engagement if consumers rely on AI-generated answers rather than watching the entire movie.
English
