YouTube experiments with AI music hosts in new feature

YouTube has launched YouTube Labs, a new platform for testing experimental AI features, with its first trial being AI-generated music hosts. The digital hosts are designed to provide commentary, artist stories, and fan trivia alongside music playback on the YouTube Music app, according to an official blog post.

The initiative allows a limited number of users in the United States to test early AI prototypes and provide feedback. Unlike YouTube Premium, the Labs program is open to all users, though access to experiments will be restricted to selected participants.

The AI host feature follows similar developments in the music streaming industry, including Spotify's AI DJ, which launched two years ago, states a report by TechCrunch on the matter. YouTube has been expanding its AI tools recently, introducing radio features in July and various creator tools for Shorts.

YouTube Labs operates similarly to Google's existing experimental platform, Google Labs. The company has also recently updated its policies to limit monetisation of mass-produced or repetitive AI content.