Spotify is “uniquely positioned to transform audio” and the listening experience of streaming with AI. But how exactly do they plan to do this? On July 25th, CEO Daniel Ek dropped a few hints at what’s in store for Spotify AI.
Is Spotify using AI?
Spotify has been trialling AI features since the beginning of the year. In an official blog post on February 22nd 2023, Spotify announced AI DJ, stating that “The DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well that it can choose what to play for you. This tech was built on their roughly $115 million acquisition of London-based Sonantic last year. Try “What is ChatGPT – and what is it used for?” or “What is Generative AI? All You Need to Know” for further reading regarding the AI industry.
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This feature [first launched in the UK and Ireland, but since rolled out to the US and Canada] will deliver a curated lineup of music alongside commentary around the tracks and artists we think you’ll like in a stunningly realistic voice.” This AI voice comes from within the organisation, in the form of Xavier “X” Jernigan, host of Spotify’s first morning show “The Get Up”, in addition to being Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships.
Recommendations of songs and playlists, amongst other personalisation based on user data, is nothing new. However, the Spotify DJ button is a reasonable first foray into how AI can benefit the music streaming platform.
What is Spotify AI?
This week, we hear about Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s plans to go one step further. According to Ek, “you’re going to see a lot more of that where we can contextualize and personalize content across the entire platform to make it more accessible.” One such was is to leverage generative AI to summarize what podcasts are about, making them more inviting to new listeners. This summary would likely be read aloud using the AI text-to-speech synthesis system for which Spotify is currently seeking a patent. As with any other text-to-speech software, it will take a text input and convert it to human speech, but here the Chief Executive hopes to push the boundaries of accuracy and realism at the frontiers of emotional expression, whispering, shouting, and accents.
AI for advertisers
Speaking to corporate partners about the integration of AI in their monetisation model, the Spotify head believes the tech will “significantly reduce the cost that it takes for advertisers to develop new ad formats”. As fidelity of generative AI continues to break new ground in digital media across text, audio, image, and video, he goes on to envision truly personalised ad creative for every single user.
Spotify are building ad platform that serves unique creative based on user data, which “means that you as an advertiser instead of having one ad, you can imagine having thousands and tested across the Spotify networks, things that you could easily do today using text but you haven’t been able to do over video or in audio.”
FAQs
Where to get Spotify AI DJ
Spotify DJ is available via the mobile app on iOS and Android.
How to get Spotify AI DJ
Here’s how to use Spotify AI DJ:
- Within the Spotify mobile app on your iOS or Android device, head to “Music Feed”
- Tap Play on the DJ card.
- Done! Spotify algorithms will choose your lineup of music, presented with short commentary on the songs and artists, based on your listening habits.
- When it’s time to switch up the vibe, hit the Spotify DJ button at the bottom right of the screen and the AI DJ feature will switch to a different genre, artist, or mood.
