YouTube has rolled out a conversational AI search feature called "Ask YouTube" and added Google's newly introduced AI video model Gemini Omni to its Shorts creation tools, TechCrunch reported on May 20.

The Ask YouTube feature is available through a test programme for desktop users among YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States.

YouTube integrated AI capabilities into the search bar so it can handle more complex questions. Users can enter sentence-style queries such as tips for teaching a child to ride a bicycle or game creator reviews to enjoy before going to sleep. They can also narrow results through follow-up questions.

YouTube presents answers by pulling together Shorts and long-form videos.

YouTube added Gemini Omni to YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app. Gemini Omni helps provide more consistent storytelling by understanding user intent and also supports adjusting video and audio.

YouTube also expanded creator protection features. It expanded its likeness detection tool to creators aged 18 and older to prevent a creator's appearance from being misused for deepfakes in other people's AI content. If creators judge that they have been distorted in an AI video, they can request its removal.