YouTube has begun testing its conversational AI assistant on smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, allowing select users to interact with a Gemini-powered “Ask” feature directly on the big screen while watching videos without leaving the app; the tool, previously available only on desktop and mobile, lets viewers ask questions about video content using an on-screen button or remote microphone and receive immediate contextual answers as part of a broader push to integrate AI into everyday media consumption.
Sources
https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/youtubes-latest-experiment-brings-its-conversational-ai-tool-to-tvs/
https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/youtube/youtube-is-bringing-a-conversational-ai-feature-to-tvs
https://www.thurrott.com/a-i/332908/youtubes-conversational-ai-tool-is-coming-to-tvs
Key Takeaways
• YouTube’s conversational AI “Ask” feature, powered by Gemini, is now being tested on smart TVs, consoles, and streaming devices to let viewers ask questions about what they’re watching.
• The feature expands on AI tools that were previously limited to web and mobile versions of YouTube and can be activated via an on-screen button or remote voice control.
• The rollout is experimental and limited to select users initially, signaling a broader strategy to integrate interactive AI into the living-room viewing experience.
In-Depth
YouTube is taking a significant step in bringing artificial intelligence directly into the living room with an experimental rollout of its conversational AI assistant to smart TVs and connected devices. This feature, designed to transform passive viewing into an interactive experience, lets viewers summon an AI assistant with an on-screen “Ask” button or by using the microphone on their remote control to ask questions about the video they’re watching. Rather than having to pause the content or switch to a phone or tablet, users can get additional context, explanations, or details—like understanding a recipe’s ingredients or background on a topic mentioned in a documentary—without leaving the YouTube TV app.
The update builds on YouTube’s existing AI capabilities from desktop and mobile platforms where conversational tools have been available for some time. By expanding to televisions and gaming consoles, YouTube is positioning itself to compete with other smart-TV voice assistants and media platforms that are weaving AI into their user experiences. The feature is still limited to a select group of users in its early experimental stages, a cautious approach that suggests YouTube wants to gauge reception and performance before a broader launch. Initial reports indicate that the tool supports multiple languages and is designed to make content more engaging and informative.
This move underscores a broader trend in the tech industry toward embedding AI across devices where people consume content, rather than confining advanced capabilities to phones and computers. For YouTube and its parent company Alphabet, integrating conversational AI into TVs could deepen user engagement, extend viewing sessions, and create new opportunities for personalized interactions with media. If successful, this experiment might set a precedent for how streaming platforms leverage AI to enhance the traditional television experience.