YouTube Launches AI Feature To Place Ads When Users Are Most Engaged - 1

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YouTube Launches AI Feature To Place Ads When Users Are Most Engaged

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

YouTube announced on Wednesday a new product called Peak Point, designed to identify meaningful moments in videos for ad placement. Powered by Google’s AI model Gemini, the tool will allow advertisers to display ads when users are most engaged.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • YouTube has announced a new AI-powered feature called “Peak Points”, which identifies the most engaging parts of a video for ad placement.
  • Advertisers will benefit from Gemini’s intelligence to promote their products more effectively on the platform.
  • Experts believe the initiative could potentially frustrate viewers.

The feature was introduced at Brandcast, an event celebrating YouTube’s 20th birthday in New York, along with several other announcements about changes to the platform.

“We also announced Peak Points, built with Google AI. This all-new product uses Gemini to identify the most meaningful or ‘peak’ moments within YouTube’s popular content, placing your brand where audiences are the most engaged,” states the event summary .

According to CNBC , the new AI feature analyzes transcripts, frames, and other elements in a video to identify critical moments and periods of high viewer attention for ad placement. Developers expect Peak Point to deliver more clicks and conversions for advertisers’ promotional videos.

A few users and experts have already shared thoughts on the feature. “Viewers may find these interruptions frustrating, especially when they’re deeply engaged in the emotional arc of a video and want the ad to be over quickly to resume watching,” wrote TechCrunch .

YouTube is introducing “Peak Points,” a new ad format that uses AI to find the most engaging or emotional moments in videos and places ads immediately after them. The aim is to catch viewers’ attention when they are most invested, benefiting advertisers. However, this approach… pic.twitter.com/302uUNUcXU — Marius Fanu (@mariusfanu) May 15, 2025

Users on Reddit said they have already noticed this feature, and many find it annoying. “YouTube has been doing this already for months if not years,” wrote one Redditor. “It’s already on the brink of being unwatchable,” added another.

YouTube also introduced another advertising feature called Shoppable CTV, which allows users to browse and buy products in a video from the TV.

AI has been playing an important role in the video platform. A few months ago, YouTube invited content creators to opt into their AI training program.

Google Says Hackers Behind UK Retail Disruptions Are Now Targeting U.S. Businesses - 2

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Google Says Hackers Behind UK Retail Disruptions Are Now Targeting U.S. Businesses

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Google warned on Wednesday that the hacking group Scattered Spider, the same hacking group responsible for multiple cyberattacks on retailers in the United Kingdom, is now targeting retailers in the United States.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Google warned that the hacking group Scattered Spider is targeting retail businesses in the U.S.
  • The malicious actor, identified as UNC3944, attacked multiple retailers, including Co-op, Harrods, and Marks & Spencer, stealing data from millions of people.
  • Scattered Spider has been developing sophisticated malicious technologies in 2025.

According to The Record , the information was disclosed by John Hultquist, Chief Analyst at Google’s cybersecurity division.

“The US retail sector is currently being targeted in ransomware and extortion operations that we suspect are linked to UNC3944, also known as Scattered Spider,” said Hultquist.

In a recent post about the threat, the analyst shared on the social media platform X, the expert wrote: “Shields up, US retailers. They’re here.”

Shields up US retailers. They’re here. https://t.co/wslafVuEes — John Hultquist (@JohnHultquist) May 15, 2025

Scattered Spider, described by Google in a recent report as “a financially-motivated threat actor characterized by its persistent use of social engineering and brazen communications with victims,” has been developing sophisticated technologies in 2025 to create new powerful malware and phishing kits.

A few days ago, it was revealed that the hacking group UNC3944 was linked to the data breach targeting Co-op , one of the UK’s largest consumer cooperatives, in which data from 20 million members was stolen. Other businesses, such as Marks & Spencer and luxury retailer Harrods, were also targeted by Scattered Spider.

“The actor, which has reportedly targeted retail in the UK following a long hiatus, has a history of focusing their efforts on a single sector at a time, and we anticipate they will continue to target the sector in the near term. US retailers should take note,” said Hultquist.

The expert shared a warning with the community potentially affected, but Google hasn’t shared any formal attribution yet.

“These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programs,” explained Hultquist. “They have had a lot of success with social engineering and leveraging third parties to gain entry to their targets.”

Despite recent arrests, Scattered Spider continues to evolve and target multiple industries across the globe. A few weeks ago, the FBI announced that it had identified several members of the hacking group through operations to arrest the web launderer known as ElonmuskWHM.