YouTube Music announced on Friday that it is testing an AI music host feature, which can provide relevant stories, fan trivia, and commentary for the music users are listening to.
This move is a direct response to Spotify's AI DJ feature launched two years ago. Spotify's AI DJ not only provides curated music but also offers AI-driven voice commentary on users' favorite tracks and artists.
YouTube Music's new feature is based on its ongoing experiments with conversational AI. In July this year, the service launched an AI conversation radio feature, allowing users to create custom radio stations by describing what they want to hear.
The AI host feature of YouTube Music is currently being tested through YouTube Labs, a new AI experimentation hub launched by the platform. The company stated in a blog post that YouTube Labs is "a new initiative focused on exploring the potential of AI on YouTube."
YouTube Labs is similar to Google Labs, which was Google's experimental department, allowing users to test early-stage AI products and provide feedback.
YouTube Labs is open to all YouTube users, meaning that users do not need a Premium membership to sign up. However, the company noted that only a limited number of users in the United States will have access to this experimental project.
YouTube Labs has recently implemented several AI features on the YouTube platform. Earlier this month, the company released a series of AI features for creators, including generative AI tools for creating Shorts. Several months ago, YouTube introduced an AI-powered search result carousel similar to Google's AI overview and expanded the use of conversational AI tools to help users find more information, get content recommendations, and receive video summaries.
Although YouTube is embracing AI features, it is also cracking down on AI-generated spam content. The platform recently updated its policies to limit creators from earning income from "non-authentic" content, including mass-produced videos and other types of repetitive content.
From a competitive perspective, this move by YouTube Music shows that music streaming platforms are viewing AI-powered personalized experiences as a key element for differentiation. By providing intelligent music commentary and background stories, these platforms aim to create a more immersive auditory experience, going beyond simple music playback functions.
The openness of YouTube Labs is also worth noting. By opening it to all users rather than just paying users, YouTube may hope to gain broader user feedback to refine its AI features. However, the practice of limiting participation in the test to U.S. users may reflect the company's cautious approach toward functionality stability and regulatory compliance.
