YouTube introduces interactive search feature “Ask YouTube,” while multimodal generative AI “Gemini Omni” is set to be added to YouTube Shorts remix and the YouTube Create app

At Google I/O 2026, YouTube unveiled Ask YouTube, an interactive AI search feature for complex natural-language queries.

Ask YouTube is launching first for U.S. YouTube Premium users aged 18 and older.

YouTube is also adding Gemini Omni to Shorts remixing and the YouTube Create app.

Users can remix Shorts with prompts and images, with SynthID, metadata, and source links attached for transparency.

Creators can opt out, and likeness detection is expanding to all creators aged 18 and older.