YouTube introduces AI-powered search carousel similar to AI Overviews

Google is expanding its suite of AI features, this time bringing a new experiment to its flagship video platform, YouTube. The company is rolling out an AI-powered search results carousel designed to enhance discovery across categories such as shopping, travel, and local activities.

According to a blog post, the experimental feature is currently available to a randomly selected number of YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States. It appears when users make search queries related to specific topics like “things to do in New York” or “best travel gear.” The carousel includes a prominent video clip at the top, a row of related video thumbnails below it, and an AI-generated summary tailored to the user’s search intent.

The format is reminiscent of Google’s AI Overviews seen in Search, bringing a more dynamic and informative layout to the YouTube app. To view a full video, users simply tap the main clip at the top of the carousel.

The experiment is available exclusively on iOS and Android devices, limited to English-language videos, and is expected to run through July 30, according to YouTube’s official experiments page. While the feature remains in testing, it signals YouTube’s broader effort to weave generative AI into the user experience and assist with more intuitive video discovery.

Alongside the search carousel, YouTube is also expanding access to another AI tool introduced in 2023 — its conversational assistant. This feature allows users to ask context-specific questions about a video they’re watching, such as clarifying points or getting recommendations based on content. Initially limited to Premium users, the feature is now being opened up to select non-Premium users in the U.S., marking the next phase of its rollout.

The AI push is part of Google’s wider strategy to integrate generative AI across its platforms, improving search, discovery, and interactivity. While the company has yet to announce when — or if — these tools will become widely available, their presence underscores the growing influence of AI on everyday digital experiences.

For now, only a limited number of YouTube users will get to test these features, but they may offer a glimpse into the platform’s AI-driven future.