YouTube to use AI to help podcasters promote themselves with clips and Shorts (techcrunch.com)

YouTube announced new AI-powered tools to help podcasters turn long-form shows into short promotional clips and Shorts, plus an AI feature that converts audio-only podcasts into customizable videos. Video creators in the U.S. will get AI suggestions to identify and create clips “in the coming months,” and a tool to automatically format those clips as YouTube Shorts is slated for early next year. Separately, audio podcasters will be able to generate a tailored video version of their episodes using AI; that capability will launch to a limited set of creators early next year with a broader rollout planned for later in 2026. For the AI/ML and creator communities, the move accelerates automated content repurposing and platform-driven discoverability. Technically, YouTube’s features signal more ML-driven editing assistance (clip selection, short-format optimization, and video generation from audio) being embedded directly into creator workflows, lowering friction for distribution across formats and driving engagement funnels from Shorts to long-form channels. Strategically, the updates help YouTube compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels while leveraging strong podcast consumption—YouTube says it surpassed 1 billion monthly podcaster viewers and, as of July 2025, users now consume over 100 million hours of podcasts daily, with 30% originating as livestreams or premieres—potentially boosting subscriptions and retention for creators.