There are some new features awaiting YouTube users – if they can find them.
According to a new update on YouTube’s test features and experiments page, the online video giant is trying out some new things on the platform: AI-generated live chat summaries and channel QR codes. These new features are currently being tested out across the platform on select channels and livestreams.
AI-generated live chat summaries
The first of YouTube’s new experimental features is AI-generated live chat summaries.
This new feature is exactly as it sounds. When a viewer goes to a livestream that is part of this particular feature test, they will see a summarized breakdown of what the viewers in the live chat have been talking about.
“To help you more quickly understand and participate in the exciting conversations that happen via YouTube live chat, we’re experimenting with AI-generated live chat summaries,” YouTube said.
Mashable was able to find the test feature implemented on YouTube’s platform by viewing a few livestreams. When a viewer goes to a stream, they will see a “chat summary” box superimposed on the live chat with a short breakdown of the current conversation. The chat summary banner disappears from view after a short period of time.
Credit: Mashable screenshot
From seeing the feature in action, it seems that the AI-generated summary is constantly updated based on the most recent conversations happening in the livestream chat. The AI-generated summary was different each time we refreshed the page.
According to YouTube, the summaries are only made up of published chats. The feature will not utilize any live chat comments held for review or live chats that contained blocked words — or were sent by blocked users in the summary.
The AI-generated live chat summary feature is currently available for “a small percentage of viewers who join eligible livestreams in English that have super active live chat conversations happening.”
Channel QR codes
The other latest new test feature from YouTube is channel QR codes.
Channel QR codes are meant to “make it easier for creators to share their channels with others,” according to YouTube. With this feature, YouTubers can share links to their channel via QR codes that are generated by the platform. Scanning a QR code will take a user to that particular creator’s channel.
Channel QR codes can be generated by both the creator and the viewer. Using the YouTube mobile app, creators who are currently part of this test program can find the “QR code” option under “Share your channel” on their channel page. Viewers can find the QR code of their favorite creators’ channels on the YouTube mobile app by going to the YouTuber’s channel page, tapping the three-dot menu, and then picking the “QR code” option under the Share menu. Again, this will only be visible on channels that YouTube has rolled out the QR code option to as part of its experiment.
