New Netflix Search Feature Uses AI to Help Users Find Shows
The new search engine will let users “look for shows using far more specific terms, including the subscriber’s mood, for example, the company said,” per the report. This OpenAI-powered search will also allow users to make queries that “go well beyond genres or actors’ names.”
How it Works
The feature, which is opt in, is already available for some users to try in Australia and New Zealand on iOS.
Expansion and Availability
Netflix spokesperson MoMo Zhou confirmed to The Verge that Bloomberg’s story is accurate. Zhou says that the test will expand to the US “in the coming weeks and months” and that there aren’t currently plans for the feature outside of iOS.
Company’s Plans
“It’s early days for the feature and we’re really in a learn and listen phase for this beta,” Zhou says.
OpenAI’s Involvement
OpenAI didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
Company’s History with AI
In an interview on the Decoder podcast last year, The Verge’s editor-in-chief, Nilay Patel, asked Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters about how the company was thinking about AI. Here was part of his response:
We have a long history of using machine learning and artificial intelligence in our recommender systems. We’ve been doing that for 20-some years. Again, we think that our job is to be proactive about understanding where there’s technical innovation. How do we use that both to serve creators, allow them to tell their stories in more compelling ways, and also then to serve our members better user experiences?
Conclusion
The new Netflix search feature using AI technology is an innovative step towards providing users with a more personalized and efficient way to find their favorite shows. With the ability to search using specific terms, including the subscriber’s mood, users will have a more tailored experience.
FAQs
Q: Is the new search feature available for all users?
A: No, the feature is currently available for opt-in users in Australia and New Zealand on iOS, and will expand to the US in the coming weeks and months.
Q: Will the feature be available on other platforms?
A: Not currently, the feature will only be available on iOS.
Q: How does OpenAI fit into this feature?
A: OpenAI is powering the search feature, allowing for more specific and personalized searches.
Q: What is the company’s history with AI?
A: Netflix has been using machine learning and artificial intelligence in its recommender systems for over 20 years.
