Google is expanding its AI integration across platforms, and this time it’s bringing its AI Overviews technology to YouTube. In a new experimental feature, YouTube is now testing AI-generated search summaries for select Premium members in the U.S., adding a smarter layer to how users discover content on the platform.
According to a blog post and YouTube’s experimental features page, the update introduces an AI-powered search results carousel that displays video suggestions alongside a text summary generated by artificial intelligence. The feature is currently being tested on iOS and Android and is only available for videos in English.
What the Feature Looks Like
When users search for topics related to shopping, travel, or activities in specific locations, they may see a new carousel layout in their search results. At the top of this carousel is a large video clip, followed by a series of thumbnails for other relevant clips. Below that, an AI-generated text response summarizes key information related to the query.
To watch the full video, users simply tap on the large clip at the top. The goal is to help users find relevant content faster by offering both visual and textual cues within the search interface.
Limited Access for Now
This AI feature is part of a limited-time experiment and will be available until July 30th. Importantly, only a randomly selected group of YouTube Premium members in the U.S. will have access.
In addition to the search summary feature, YouTube is also expanding its conversational AI tool, which was first introduced in 2023. This tool allows users to ask questions about the video they’re watching, and now it’s being made available to some non-Premium users in the U.S.
Google’s Push into AI-Enhanced Experiences
This experimental rollout on YouTube follows Google’s broader strategy of embedding AI-generated summaries and answers across its ecosystem, including Google Search, Gmail, and Docs. It aligns with the company’s efforts to simplify content discovery and enhance productivity using AI.
However, past AI rollouts haven’t been flawless. Earlier this year, Apple had to disable its AI news summary feature due to inaccuracies, and Google paused its Gemini image generator for similar reasons. YouTube will need to ensure accuracy and relevance if it wants its AI features to gain widespread trust.
As YouTube continues to experiment with artificial intelligence, the platform could see a more personalized, interactive search and viewing experience. For now, the AI search summaries remain exclusive to a small test group, but the success of this pilot could pave the way for broader implementation across the platform.
