YouTube is preparing to expand its artificial intelligence features with a limited test of Ask YouTube inside the Shorts player. The upcoming experiment will allow eligible viewers to ask questions about short-form videos while watching them, offering a new way to access information without leaving the viewing experience.
The Google-owned video platform announced the expansion on October 12, 2026, confirming that Ask YouTube will soon become available directly from the watch page for Shorts and live streams.
The initial experiment will be limited to English-speaking users aged 18 and older. Although the test is described as global, YouTube has not confirmed whether Canadian viewers will be included in the first phase.
YouTube Introduces AI-Powered Questions Within Shorts
The upcoming Ask YouTube experiment will integrate an interactive AI feature into selected YouTube Shorts, allowing viewers to request additional information about the videos they are watching.
According to a Creator Insider video published on October 12, the experiment will support desktop computers, televisions and mobile devices.
Eligible viewers will see a sparkle icon on selected Shorts. Selecting the icon will provide access to suggested questions or allow users to enter their own queries.
YouTube explained the feature in the video’s description:
“It’s English only, 18 and older only, but if you’re part of the experiment, you’ll be able to tap or select the sparkle icon on select Shorts and try out pre-populated prompts or ask questions to get details about the Short on your screen.”
How the Ask YouTube Feature Will Work
The experiment will offer two methods for interacting with video content.
Viewers can choose from pre-populated prompts related to the Short they are watching or submit their own questions through Ask YouTube.
The feature is intended to make it easier to explore information connected to a video without conducting a separate search.
However, YouTube has not clarified exactly where independently written questions will open within the Ask YouTube interface.
New YouTube Feeds Will Help Users Discover Related Content
Alongside the AI experiment, YouTube is developing additional discovery feeds for its Android and iOS applications.
These feeds will help viewers identify creators producing similar content, find related Shorts and explore subjects connected to their viewing history.
According to the Creator Insider description, users will be able to “discover similar creators, find related shorts, and explore topics based on your watch history.”
The changes could introduce additional opportunities for content discovery across YouTube’s short-form video platform.
For Canadian creators, the new feeds may eventually provide another way for audiences to encounter relevant videos. However, YouTube has not disclosed how its recommendations will be selected or whether creators will have additional controls over their inclusion.
Ask YouTube Builds on Existing AI Features
The planned Shorts integration represents an extension of Ask YouTube’s existing watch-page functionality.
Currently, the feature appears beneath selected YouTube videos, allowing eligible viewers to ask questions about the content.
YouTube’s support documentation indicates that the existing watch-page feature is available in numerous countries and languages.
It generally supports signed-in users aged 13 and older, or the applicable minimum age in their country, across Android, iOS, computers and smart televisions.
Shorts Experiment Will Have Stricter Eligibility Requirements
Unlike the broader watch-page feature, the Shorts experiment will initially be restricted to English-language interactions and viewers aged 18 or older.
YouTube has not announced a complete list of participating countries.
The company has also reported significant engagement with its existing AI tools.
During Alphabet’s second-quarter 2026 earnings commentary, CEO Sundar Pichai said more than 140 million users had interacted with Ask YouTube on the watch page in June.
That figure highlights the scale of engagement with the feature ahead of its planned expansion into Shorts and live streaming.
YouTube Also Expanding AI Search Access
The Shorts experiment is separate from the search-based version of Ask YouTube.
In its October 12 announcement, YouTube said it was expanding the search experience to mobile devices, making the feature available to users in the United States across web browsers, mobile platforms and televisions.
The company has not confirmed whether the same search expansion will become available in Canada.
The distinction is important because Ask YouTube on the watch page focuses on questions related to videos, while the search experience operates within YouTube’s broader content discovery system.
What the Changes Mean for Canadian Viewers and Creators
The planned expansion could make YouTube Shorts more interactive by allowing viewers to obtain additional information about selected videos.
For creators, the introduction of AI-assisted questions and related-content feeds could influence how audiences engage with videos and discover channels.
However, several details remain unanswered, including how YouTube selects eligible Shorts, how its new discovery feeds generate recommendations and whether creators can manage participation.
YouTube has not provided an official launch date or confirmed when Canadian users might receive access.
YouTube Shorts AI Experiment Expected Soon
YouTube’s latest announcement reflects its continued efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into video viewing and content discovery.
The limited Ask YouTube experiment will initially focus on English-speaking adults, while new Android and iOS feeds aim to improve access to related creators and Shorts.
With no confirmed rollout date or country-specific availability, Canadian viewers and creators will need to await further announcements as YouTube prepares to introduce the new features.
Francesco Petrarca is a writer for ThePacket.ca, covering news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. He is committed to clear and reliable reporting, providing readers with useful information, timely updates, and stories that highlight important developments and current affairs.