YouTube Music’s “Ask Music”: AI Makes It To Our Playlists

Estimated read time 3 min read

In a world increasingly dominated by algorithms, personalized experiences have become the norm. From streaming services to social media platforms, companies are racing to tailor content to individual preferences. YouTube Music, Google’s music streaming service, is the latest to do so. The latest addition to their arsenal is “Ask Music,” an AI-powered feature that promises to revolutionize the way we discover and enjoy music.

At its core, “Ask Music” is supposed to be a simple yet powerful tool. Users can input a textual description of their desired playlist, and the AI will curate a selection of songs that match their request. Whether you’re looking for “upbeat workout tunes,” “relaxing indie folk,” or “songs that remind me of summer,” the AI will attempt to deliver.

This feature is supposed to leverage the immense power of artificial intelligence to understand and interpret human language. By analyzing vast datasets of music and user preferences, AI can identify patterns and correlations that would take much more time for a human to discern. This enables it to create playlists that are not only relevant but also surprising and delightful.

Accessibility

YouTube Music has recently expanded the availability of “Ask Music,” making it more accessible to users around the world. The feature is now prominently displayed on the app’s interface, indicating a significant push to promote its adoption. This wider rollout suggests that Google is confident in the potential of “Ask Music” to enhance the user experience and drive engagement.

While “Ask Music” is a valuable addition to YouTube Music, there’s a catch: it appears to be exclusive to Premium subscribers. This means that users who are not willing to pay for a subscription will be unable to access this feature. While this may disappoint some, it’s not entirely surprising. Premium memberships often come with additional benefits, and Google may be positioning “Ask Music” as one of those perks. This move seems to be part of a broader push of including AI in premium or paid plans to help incentivize new subscribers. 

Currently, “Ask Music” is limited to a few countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, the feature is only available in English. YouTube Music’s “Ask Music” is a significant step forward in the realm of music discovery. By harnessing the power of AI, it offers users a personalized and intuitive way to find new music. While there are some limitations, particularly for non-Premium subscribers, the potential of this feature is exciting.