HBO Max features come with a hidden catch

The world of streaming is constantly evolving, and HBO Max is setting the pace by integrating sophisticated artificial intelligence into its mobile experience. To help users cut through the endless content scroll and find their next binge instantly, the platform is rolling out two highly anticipated features for iOS and Android: HBO Max Shorts and Ask HBO Max.

These new tools promise to transform how subscribers discover gems within the massive library. HBO Max Shorts invites users into a vertical, scrollable feed of iconic moments from the platform, offering bite-sized, high-impact viewing experiences.

Behind the scenes, this discovery mechanism is powered by advanced machine learning. The system utilizes an in-house AI tool that analyzes scene-level metadata across thousands of titles, effectively selecting and verticalizing the most compelling clips for discovery. This process ensures that users are presented with truly impactful content, curated by algorithms designed to maximize engagement.

Complementing the visual discovery is Ask HBO Max, an AI conversational search tool that lets users find exactly what they want using natural language. Whether a viewer is in a specific mood—asking for “rom-coms”—or searching for niche themes like “psychological thrillers for Halloween,” this feature leverages the user’s previous watch history to deliver hyper-personalized recommendations.

The goal of these AI-driven features is simple: to create a more personal and seamless viewing experience by curating feeds that truly align with individual tastes. Executives behind the rollout are thrilled about the potential. Deepna Devkar, HBO Max senior vice president of Machine Learning Engineering, expressed excitement over this application of AI, noting that it will accelerate the creation of clips and expand content discoverability across the service.

Liesel Kipp, executive vice president of Product Management at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized that these features are built on intuitive behaviors that subscribers already use every day. She pointed out that both HBO Max Shorts and conversational search translate those familiar habits into new ways to find programming, making the discovery process easier and more seamless for everyone.

In addition to these novel discovery methods, users will also gain access to features like Add To List, allowing them to easily flag titles directly from the feed. While these innovations are currently in a testing phase, meaning only selected users on iOS and Android can access them now, general HBO Max subscribers will have to wait for the official public launch.