YouTube Music Tests AI Hosts for Interactive Listening
YouTube Music is exploring new territory with AI hosts, following in the footsteps of its AI-focused initiatives like Shorts remix features and generative search. The platform is currently testing this innovative concept in the U.S. through YouTube Labs.
The AI hosts, internally referred to as AI music hosts, are designed to engage listeners between songs. They share stories, trivia, and commentary, much like Spotify's 2023 DJ feature. This experiment builds on YouTube's existing AI radio tool, which creates playlists based on user inputs like moods or genres.
Google has previously dabbled in synthetic voices through the NotebookLM app, narrating summaries. Now, YouTube Music is taking this technology a step further, integrating it into its music streaming service. A new button for this feature is now visible on the Now Playing screen for eligible users, sitting beside the thumbs up/down icons.
The success of YouTube's AI host experiment hinges on listener feedback and preferences. The platform is currently gathering data from a limited number of U.S. listeners in YouTube Labs. If the response is positive, we may see AI hosts becoming a regular feature on YouTube Music, adding a new dimension to our listening experience.
