YouTube Expands AI Tools and Strategic Partnerships in India
YouTube unveiled new AI-powered tools and announced key strategic collaborations at its Impact Summit in New Delhi on 17 November, highlighting its growing role in India’s digital learning and creator ecosystems. A recent Oxford Economics report cited by the company showed that YouTube’s creative economy contributed over ₹16,000 crore to India’s GDP last year and supported more than 930,000 jobs.
The platform announced collaborations with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to support emerging talent in animation, gaming, and visual effects, and with AIIMS’ College of Nursing to expand access to professional medical training. Gunjan Soni, MD for India at YouTube, said, “Our impact goes beyond views; it’s about livelihoods and shared economic growth. This is reflected in the fact that 63% of monetising creators consider YouTube their primary source of revenue.”
The IICT partnership includes industry-led workshops, AI-driven creative project funding through the new Create with AI program, and support for the institute’s official YouTube channel. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, noted that the collaboration would provide students direct access to the technology and expertise needed to compete globally.
Through its partnership with AIIMS, YouTube will provide courses on wound care and infection control to over 5,000 nursing students and professionals across India. Dr Latha Venkatesan, principal at the College of Nursing, emphasized that digital learning is critical for scaling high-quality medical education.
New Features Enhance Learning, Safety, and Creator Support
YouTube introduced a new conversational AI feature that allows viewers to ask questions and receive instant answers directly within the video player, making content consumption more interactive and educational. The feature is currently available in English, with support for Hindi expected in the future.
The company also expanded its First Aid shelves to provide credible health information and added digital well-being controls, including daily limits for Shorts scrolling. For creators, new tools like Edit with AI and a likeness detection feature aim to prevent unauthorized AI-altered content. Soni highlighted that India continues to drive global digital creativity, and YouTube remains committed to supporting economic opportunities while promoting responsible and engaging online experiences.
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