YouTube's new AI feature answers questions about videos
Ask promises to transform passive video watching into an active learning experience.
YouTube is now getting a taste of the recent wave of AI features that Google has been shipping out to its products.
Boasting 2.7 billion users, the video platform is testing a new conversational AI feature called "Ask" to help viewers get the most out of the videos they watch by facilitating real-time question-and-answer interactions directly within videos.
Once you enable the feature for your account, you will see an "Ask" button under eligible videos. You can type in your questions about the video. The AI then analyzes both the video content and your query, delivering contextually relevant answers in real time – all without interrupting your viewing experience.
Ask also offers pre-populated prompts for viewers who want a quick video summary or to explore related content. Early reports suggest the AI's responses are impressively swift and accurate, hinting at the possibility that Google's AI might already be pre-digesting YouTube's vast library behind the scenes.
Currently, in testing for a limited group of YouTube Premium users on Android in the U.S., Ask promises to transform passive video watching into an active learning experience.
Henry Chikwem
If the feature eventually ships out, it could fundamentally alter how we engage with educational content and potentially open the door for more interactive video formats altogether.
Separately, YouTube is live-testing another AI feature to help you skip to the "good parts" of a video. This AI feature analyzes watch patterns across viewers and identifies the most popular sections. With a click, you can jump right to those key moments, saving you precious time.
