YouTube has begun rolling out a new artificial intelligence-powered feature that allows YouTube Premium users to generate custom playlists using simple text prompts.
YouTube Premium and @YouTubeMusic Premium users can now instantly turn an idea, mood or genre into a personalized playlist using our new AI playlist feature 🎧
— Updates From YouTube (@UpdatesFromYT) February 9, 2026
Here's how to use it:
1. On Android & iOS, tap the “New” button in the Library tab of YouTube Music
2. Select “AI… pic.twitter.com/YR1GVCqwvu
Available on both iOS and Android, the tool is the latest in a series of AI-driven updates designed to enhance the streaming experience. To access the feature, subscribers can navigate to the ‘Library’ tab, tap ‘New’, and select the ‘AI playlist’ option.
From there, users can enter specific moods or genres via text or voice—such as “progressive house mix for a chill party”, “sad post-rock”, or “90s classic hits”—to automatically build a curated selection of tracks.+2
Keeping pace with the streaming market
YouTube’s move follows a broader industry trend, as major rivals like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer have already introduced similar prompt-based radio or playlist tools.
While YouTube began testing custom AI radio stations in the United States as early as July 2024, this wider rollout signals a formal commitment to integrating generative AI into the core user interface. It also serves as a strategic move to add value to its paid tier at a time of increased competition.
The push for Premium growth
The introduction of the AI generator is part of a broader effort by Google to make its Premium subscription more enticing. This week, some users noticed a shift in the platform’s accessibility:
- Lyric restrictions: YouTube has confirmed an experiment restricting some free users from viewing song lyrics within the YouTube Music app. While currently limited to a “small percentage” of ad-supported accounts, it suggests a potential future where lyrics become a core Premium perk.
- Subscription milestones: The strategy appears to be working. Google recently reported a significant uptick in its subscription business, now boasting 325 million paying users across Google One and YouTube Premium combined.
A more curated experience
By leaning into “raging death metal” or “indie pop” prompts, YouTube is aiming to reduce the “choice paralysis” often felt by listeners browsing massive libraries. For the platform, it is a way to leverage Google’s advanced AI capabilities to keep users engaged longer, while providing a “consistent stream” of discovery that feels personalized rather than algorithmic.
