Remember when Google set fire to its search engine when it introduced what it calls “AI overviews”? Yeah, YouTube is bringing us its own take on the feature, the search giant announced in a blog post yesterday. It’s one of two AI features coming to the platform, except this time, Google is reserving it for its paying customers only.
Can we pay YouTube to turn off AI for good?
Google tests AI overviews inside YouTube.
Whether you’re keen to see the new AI Overviews implemented into YouTube search or are simply hoping to get in a room with the company’s “conversational AI tool“, which is expanding to some non-Premium members in the coming days, you’re out of luck. Google is first introducing both features as a ‘test’, both of which are limited to Premium members in the US, likely to minimise the fallout of any ‘eat a rock a day‘ situations that might turn up.
“Imagine searching for “best beaches in Hawaii” — you could see an AI-generated carousel highlighting clips from videos showcasing the best snorkel spots and volcanic beaches, complete with descriptions and more videos to plan your ideal day,” YouTube said.
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During this test, which will end on 30 July, after which Google will determine its readiness for global expansion, users will only see the carousel appear on searches related to “shopping, travel, or things to do in a specific place.”
For now, the feature is limited to Android and iOS devices and has to be turned on in the ‘experimental features’ section of the YouTube app. We doubt we’ll be afforded the same luxury by the time it’s ready worldwide.
