‘Ask YouTube’ brings AI-powered conversational search to video, adds Gemini Omni to Shorts

Google is completely revamping its search experience, and that doesn’t stop at YouTube. Like the rest of Google, YouTube’s search bar is getting infused with AI tools like “Ask YouTube,” a feature that is supposed to give users a more sophisticated search experience.

“With Ask YouTube, you can ask more complex search queries, such as wanting tips on how to teach your kid to ride a bike, or finding creator reviews of cozy games to play before bedtime,” the company explained. “You can even ask follow-up questions to continue refining what you’re looking for.”

YouTube will compile both Shorts and long-form videos and generate a response.

Premium subscribers in the U.S. on desktop can start using this feature now through YouTube’s optional Premium offerings to test new tools.

The company also announced that it is adding Gemini Omni, Google’s new AI video model, to YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app.

“Remixing with Omni delivers a fresh way for users to create and build on each other’s imagination,” YouTube wrote in a press release. “The model better understands user intent creating more consistent and meaningful storytelling while also handling complex video and audio adjustments behind the scenes.”

Other companies like Meta and OpenAI have seen mixed reception when pushing for AI use in Shorts. OpenAI even sunsetted its social app Sora, where users could post and share their AI-generated clips. But YouTube seems to be rolling this out in a manner that feels a bit less front and center.

YouTube is also expanding its likeness-detection tool to creators 18 and older, which is supposed to help prevent creators from being deepfaked in other people’s AI content. If a creator sees themselves misrepresented in AI videos, they can request that the video be removed. Since this feature is only now expanding more broadly, it remains to be seen how effective it is.