Was this feature impossible to implement many years ago?

  • Samuel Proulx
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    41 year ago

    A couple reasons, I think:

    1. AI dubbing: this makes it way easier for YouTube to add secondary dubbed tracks to videos in multiple languages. Based on the Google push to add AI into everything, including creating AI related OKR’s, that’s probably a primary driver. Multiple audio tracks is just needed infrastructure to add AI dubbing.

    2. Audio description: Google is fighting enough antitrust related legal battles right now. The fact that YouTube doesn’t support audio description for those of us who are blind has been an issue for a long time, and now that basically every other video streaming service supports it, I suspect they’re starting to feel increased pressure to get on board. Once again, multiple audio tracks is needed infrastructure for offering audio description.