YouTube just announced YouTube Labs, which is being described as a “new way for users to take our cutting edge AI experiments for a test drive.” This looks like a YouTube-centric version of the pre-existing Google Labs, which is another place for folks to test out experimental AI tools.
There’s already something new to play with here. YouTube Labs is testing AI hosts for its Music app. These hosts are designed to deepen a listening experience by providing “relevant stories, fan trivia and fun commentary about your favorite music.” This is just the latest music-streaming platform to introduce AI hosts, as Spotify introduced an AI DJ earlier this year.
YouTube Labs is only available for Premium members. Sign-ups are open right now, but just for a “limited number of US-based participants.” We don’t have any data as to how many people will get accepted to join the AI tomfoolery.
Regular YouTube users have probably noticed the proliferation of AI slop on the platform these past several months. It’s becoming a whole thing. While the prospect of virtual music hosts is rather innocuous, it will likely lead to even more AI being forced on the platform.
YouTube recently added a boatload of AI tools for creators, including the ability to turn spoken dialogue into a slop-filled song. It’s also handing over age verification to AI and is testing its own version of Google’s famous (or infamous) AI overviews.
