YouTube uses AI to summarize videos in latest test

The test is only available to a limited number of videos and users, and will not replace existing video descriptions, but YouTube hopes they will help viewers decide what to watch.

According to a notice on a support page dated July 31, Google is experimenting with the use of AI to automatically generate YouTube video summaries. The page, which we spotted via Android Police, notes that these summaries will only appear next to a limited number of English-language videos, and will only be viewable by a limited number of users. They will appear on YouTube's watch and search pages, and are intended to give a concise overview of the video's content without replacing an existing description written by a human.

The help page reads, "We're starting to test AI auto-generated summaries on YouTube to make it easier for you to read a quick summary about a video and decide if it's right for you." Android Police notes that users are generally able to sign up to participate in YouTube Experiments at YouTube.com/new, although some tests may require a YouTube Premium membership to participate.

In response to our question, Google spokeswoman Jen Jamie told The Verge, "We're testing a new feature for viewers that uses generative AI to generate summaries for YouTube videos. We officially But we often test new features before they launch so we can build and refine the best experience for our viewers and creators. According to Jamie, YouTube viewers watch English-language vlogs, shopping and how-to videos on mobile devices. Time can view the automatically generated summary.

The YouTube experiment is one of the first generative AI initiatives underway at Google, as the company races to find uses for the emerging technology. For example, at its developer conference in May, the company announced a new Play Store feature that aimed to use generative AI to summarize app user reviews. But of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Google's AI efforts which include a new search generator experience and Duet AI tools for its workspace productivity apps.

Other companies have also attempted to use AI to generate automated summaries of online content. For example, Artifact recently launched a summary feature for news articles.

If they get a wider rollout, it'll be interesting to see if AI summaries make an impact on how YouTube creators structure their videos. Every policy change and new feature introduced by a video platform could have a cascading effect on its content ecosystem, as creators try to appease its all-seeing yet obscure recommendation algorithm. Who knows what will happen when creators have to create videos for both humans and Google's AI to understand?