YouTube AI Chatbot on Smart TVs

YouTube has expanded its conversational artificial intelligence tool to smart TVs, allowing users to ask spoken questions while watching content on their television sets. The AI chatbot can answer queries about the videos being viewed, providing in stream responses. Users can access the tool by selecting the “Ask” button and using their remote’s microphone to ask questions like “What are other popular videos from this creator?” Default prompts are available to guide users who are unsure what to ask.

The feature began testing on smart TVs in February and builds on YouTube’s existing in-app AI capabilities. While not all television models will support this feature, it adds a new dimension to the connected TV experience. The integration aims to make it easier for viewers to access related information without leaving the video experience.

However, the microphone connection may raise privacy concerns. Some users may worry that YouTube is listening to conversations to serve targeted ads, though the company has not indicated this. Despite potential criticism, YouTube is moving forward with the feature, aiming to enhance user engagement and expand AI interactions on smart TVs.