Numerous smartphone applications have integrated generative AI features in diverse ways, but YouTube had abstained from doing so until recently. While the platform already utilizes AI for generating intelligent subtitles, it has now embraced generative AI to create textual summaries for its videos.
YouTube recently made an official announcement on its support page for the latest experimental features, stating that it is testing AI auto-generated summaries. Unlike conventional summaries aimed at shortening lengthy content for easier consumption, these video summaries have a different objective. YouTube intends to assist users in selecting the most compelling videos by offering concise overviews through AI-generated summaries.
The AI-generated summaries are designed to complement, not replace, the video descriptions created by content creators. They will provide users with a snapshot of the video’s essence, serving as an alternative tool. While YouTube has not shared any screenshots yet, these summaries will be visible on both watch and search pages. Users can look forward to experiencing the implementation of this feature soon.
As of the latest update on Monday, AI-generated summaries have been rolled out, but their availability remains limited to a select few videos, and they can be accessed exclusively in English.
In addition to AI-generated summaries, YouTube is exploring a feature that enables mobile viewers to create “Shorts” showcasing comments from videos they are currently watching. These Shorts will be prominently featured in the Shorts feed and on the viewer’s channel page.
Furthermore, YouTube’s experimentation with generative AI does not stop with video summaries. In parallel with the AI-generated summaries, YouTube is exploring another exciting feature known as “Shorts.” This feature targets mobile viewers and allows them to create Shorts showcasing comments from videos they are currently watching. These Shorts will be prominently featured in the Shorts feed and on the viewer’s channel page, encouraging greater interactivity and community engagement within the platform.
However, while these AI-driven innovations are undoubtedly promising, it is essential to note that as of now, the availability of AI-generated summaries is limited. Only a select number of videos have access to this feature, and it is currently accessible exclusively in English. As YouTube gathers valuable user feedback and fine-tunes the AI algorithms, the scope of availability is expected to widen, reaching a more extensive audience and supporting multiple languages in the future.
The integration of generative AI features in YouTube is a testament to the platform’s continuous pursuit of technological advancements to cater to the diverse needs of its users and content creators. By leveraging AI capabilities, YouTube is positioning itself as a leader in content recommendation, accessibility, and interactivity, creating a more engaging and personalized experience for its global audience. As YouTube’s AI experiments evolve and expand, users can anticipate a more immersive and tailored video-watching journey on the platform, with AI-generated summaries and Shorts opening up exciting possibilities for content discovery and interaction.
