Google I/O 2026: Ask YouTube AI feature to allow users search videos with their voice

Google held its annual developers conference, I/O 2026, at Shoreline Amphitheatre in California. During the keynote of the tech giant’s biggest event of the year 2026, Google CEO Sundar Pichai launched a new AI-powered YouTube feature. The new Ask YouTube feature lets users ask conversational questions to find specific answers or content on the platform. This is similar to Google Search's AI Mode, but all in video.The AI-powered feature enables users to search YouTube with natural-language prompts and receive curated responses based on content available across the platform. Instead of typing keywords, users can frame detailed questions and receive video recommendations pulled from both Shorts and longer videos.Google said the tool is designed to support more contextual searches. Users can ask broad questions and continue the interaction through follow-up prompts to narrow down results. The company added that responses will appear in an interactive format rather than traditional search listings.Currently, Ask YouTube is being made available to YouTube Premium subscribers aged 18 and above in the US via youtube.com/new. A wider rollout to additional users is expected later.Apart from Ask YouTube, Google also introduced Gemini Omni support for YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app. The feature allows users to transform existing eligible Shorts using text prompts or uploaded images to generate altered versions while preserving elements of the source content.The company said the updated model is intended to improve how AI interprets prompts and handles changes involving visuals, scenes and audio, reducing the need for manual editing.To address attribution and creator controls, Google said AI-generated remixes will include watermarks, metadata identifiers and references to the original content. Creators will retain the option to disable visual remixing for their videos.The company added that remixed Shorts created using Gemini Omni will include digital watermarks, identifying metadata and links to original videos. Creators can also choose to opt out of visual remixing features.Google said its likeness detection tool, designed to help creators identify and manage use of their likeness, is now expanding to creators aged 18 and above.Gemini Omni-powered remixing is rolling out starting today at no additional cost through YouTube Shorts Remix and the YouTube Create app, with support for AI Playground planned later.