Spotify Unveils AI-Powered Personalized Playlists

Spotify is expanding its AI capabilities beyond its popular AI DJ feature, now introducing AI playlists into beta. This new option allows users to generate playlists based on written prompts, enhancing playlist creation with AI assistance. Initially rolling out to users in the U.K. and Australia on Android and iOS devices, Spotify plans to refine and iterate on this feature in the coming months.

With Spotify’s AI-powered playlist creation feature, users can generate playlists based on a diverse range of prompts beyond standard requests like genre or time frame. From “songs to serenade my cat” to “beats to battle a zombie apocalypse,” Spotify encourages users to get creative with their prompts. These prompts can reference a wide array of topics, including places, animals, activities, movie characters, colors, or emojis. However, Spotify notes that the best playlists are generated using prompts that incorporate a combination of genres, moods, artists, and decades.

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Spotify’s AI playlist creation feature not only generates playlists based on user prompts but also customizes them according to users’ tastes. After the playlist is created, users can further refine it by issuing commands such as “less upbeat” or “more pop.” Additionally, users have the option to remove songs by swiping left on them. Behind the scenes, Spotify utilizes large language models (LLMs) to comprehend the user’s intent based on their prompts. Then, leveraging its personalization technology, Spotify incorporates information about the listener’s history and preferences to craft a personalized AI-generated playlist.

The development of Spotify’s AI playlists was first hinted at in October 2023 when reverse engineers Chris Messina and Alessandro Paluzzi shared screenshots of code from Spotify’s app referencing AI playlists “based on your prompts.” Initially, Spotify declined to comment on the discovery, opting not to confirm or deny the existence of new features. However, by December 2023, the company confirmed that it was indeed testing AI-driven playlist creation. This confirmation came after a TikTok video showcasing the feature surfaced, with the Spotify user referring to it as “Spotify’s ChatGPT.”

How To Access Spotify AI Playlist?

The AI playlist feature on Spotify can be accessed within the “Your Library” tab of the app. Users can find it by tapping on the plus button (+) located at the top right corner of the screen. This action triggers a pop-up menu where the AI Playlist option appears alongside the existing “Playlist” and “Blend” options.

For those who may be unsure of what prompts to use, Spotify provides suggestions to help users get started. These prompts cover a wide range of themes and moods, such as “get focused at work with instrumental electronica,” “fill in the silence with background café music,” “get pumped up with fun, upbeat, and positive songs,” or “explore a niche genre like Witch House,” among others.

Once a user selects or enters a prompt, Spotify’s AI generates a personalized playlist based on the input. To save the AI playlist, users can simply tap the “Create” button, adding it to their library for easy access.

Spotify emphasizes that its AI feature operates within strict guidelines to prevent responses to offensive prompts or those related to current events or specific brands. This ensures a positive and inclusive experience for users engaging with the AI playlist creation tool. The company has been actively investing in AI technology to enhance its streaming service for quite some time.

A Glimpse into Spotify AI DJ

One notable AI-driven feature introduced by Spotify is the AI DJ, which was rolled out globally last year. This feature utilizes a combination of Sonantic and OpenAI technology to create an artificial version of the voice of Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. The AI DJ introduces personalized song selections to users, enhancing their listening experience.

Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has hinted to investors about additional ways the company could harness the power of AI to enhance its services. These potential applications include using AI to summarize podcasts, generate audio ads, and explore other innovative features. One intriguing possibility is the use of AI technology to replicate a podcast host’s voice for host-read advertisements, demonstrating Spotify’s ongoing commitment to leveraging AI advancements to improve its platform and user experience.