YouTube adds AI-powered search carousel, expands conversational tool

YouTube is introducing a set of new AI-powered features aimed at helping users find relevant content faster—while also raising fresh questions about how these tools might impact creators.

The company announced Thursday that it’s launching an AI-powered search results carousel for Premium users in the U.S., designed to surface videos and provide short, AI-generated topic descriptions in response to search queries. The experience mirrors Google’s AI Overviews, which summarize search results directly on the results page.

Initially, the carousel will appear for searches related to shopping, local recommendations, or travel—such as “best beaches in Hawaii.” In those cases, the tool might highlight clips showing top snorkel spots or volcanic coastlines, alongside short text summaries and related videos. The goal is to help users quickly identify useful content without needing to scroll through traditional results.

Discovery vs. Engagement

While the carousel may improve search efficiency for viewers, it could also have downsides for content creators. If users get the information they need directly from the AI summaries, they may not click through to watch the actual videos—affecting creators' views, engagement metrics, and ultimately, revenue.

This concern echoes broader pushback against Google’s AI Overviews in search, which publishers say have significantly reduced site traffic. As YouTube becomes more reliant on similar AI-generated discovery tools, creators may face similar challenges in maintaining audience reach and monetization.

Conversational AI Expands to More Users

Alongside the carousel, YouTube is expanding access to its conversational AI assistant. First introduced in late 2023, the tool allows viewers to ask questions, get video summaries, or receive personalized recommendations based on what they’re watching. Initially restricted to Premium users, the feature is now rolling out to select non-Premium accounts.

The conversational AI is powered by large language models that pull from YouTube content and broader web sources. It’s designed to deepen user engagement—especially with educational or instructional videos.

For example, if a viewer is watching a roller skate dance tutorial, the assistant might offer to summarize the video or suggest similar clips. Users can also type their own questions—like “What’s the song in this video?”—and receive answers that include the track title, artist, and genre.

What This Means

YouTube’s latest AI tools are part of a larger shift across Google’s platforms: reducing friction in content discovery while integrating AI assistance more deeply into the user experience. For viewers, this means faster access to useful insights. For creators, it raises ongoing questions about visibility and value in an AI-curated world.

As YouTube continues to balance user convenience with creator sustainability, the impact of these tools will depend not just on their technical accuracy—but on how they shape viewer behavior and platform dynamics over time.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.