YouTube used to let everyone test new features before they launched. In late 2020, though, early access became a benefit just for Premium subscribers. Now, YouTube is introducing YouTube Labs, a new space for experimental features. Premium subscribers will be the first to try out AI-powered tools before they become widely available.
The first feature in YouTube Labs is an AI music host in the YouTube Music app called “Beyond the Beat” (via 9to5Google). These virtual hosts join radio streams or mixes to share artist trivia, song backgrounds, and commentary, similar to a DJ between songs. Since the commentary is generated by AI, it may not always be accurate.
Limited rollout with hands-on controls
For now, only a limited group of US-based users, mainly Premium subscribers, can access Labs. If you’re among them, you’ll see a new AI sparkle button in YouTube Music, located between the thumbs up/down and comment icons. Tap it to turn on the feature. Once it’s on, the AI commentary stays active by default. You can still control it by snoozing the hosts for an hour or a whole day if you want a break. YouTube points out that Labs experiments might be removed at any time, and performance can vary since this is still early technology.
YouTube Labs is unique because it is separate from Google Labs, which covers all of Google’s AI research. Labs is designed just for YouTube, with plans that go beyond music commentary. By testing new features here, YouTube can quickly learn what works and what needs improvement based on real user feedback.
With this new approach, YouTube is letting users help shape new features before they launch. Labs allows people to try out tools early and give feedback, including creators and power users. The AI Music Hosts are the first test, but they raise questions. Will listeners like the AI commentary, or find it distracting? Can the system share interesting facts without errors? These challenges are expected, and Labs is meant to test and improve with input from users.