Rumors have been circulating online for some time about Spotify’s potential launch of an AI-powered playlist feature. The Swedish-based music streaming service has now introduced this feature to a select few businesses.
Spotify Premium subscribers using Android and iOS devices in the UK and Australia will soon have access to the new AI Playlist tool in beta form, as announced by the company on Sunday (April 7) in a statement.
This tool will allow users to input a word prompt, triggering audio suggestions from the AI Playlist. For example, users can enter prompts such as “an independent folk playlist to give my mind a warm embrace,” “soothing music for allergy season,” or “an indie folk playlist that evokes a sense of adventure.”
Users can further customize and refine their playlists by adding prompts like “more pop” or “less upbeat,” as well as preview and remove tracks recommended by the AI Playlist.
While there is no specific timeline for when this feature will expand beyond the UK and Australia, Spotify has mentioned that they are conducting beta tests and are committed to rolling out this innovative feature globally.
To access the AI Playlist, users in the UK and Australia can navigate to “Your Library” at the bottom-right corner of their Spotify app, click the “+” button, and select “AI Playlist.”
In their statement, Spotify explained, “With just a few taps, Spotify will curate a personalized playlist based on the music we believe you’ll enjoy.”
Although designed for entertainment, the tool is still in the beta phase and will not respond to prompts unrelated to music, such as news events or brand names. Spotify has also implemented guidelines to prevent offensive prompts, urging users to use the feature responsibly.
Moreover, Spotify has been actively developing various AI-powered features, including the AI Playlist. They initially introduced an AI-driven personalized DJ feature in the US and Canada in February 2023, later launching it globally in August of the same year.
Additionally, the company is working on an innovative AI voice translation tool to offer podcasts in multiple languages, maintaining the podcaster’s original voice.
During an earnings call last summer, CEO Daniel Ek emphasized the potential of AI to enhance user experience, advertising effectiveness, and operational efficiency at Spotify.
Ek highlighted the positive impact of AI on user engagement and retention, particularly through features like the AI DJ, which has garnered significant user interaction. He expressed confidence that contextualized and personalized content will further enhance accessibility across the platform.
Furthermore, Ek discussed the potential for advertisers to derive greater value from their ads through AI technology. By leveraging generative AI and AR tools, Spotify aims to streamline the ad creation process and reduce costs for advertisers significantly.
In conclusion, Spotify’s strategic integration of AI technologies not only aims to improve user experience but also to drive value for advertisers and stakeholders while enhancing operational efficiency across the platform.
