Spotify Launches New AI DJ in Beta

AI is already one of the big buzzwords of 2023 thanks to ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing chatbot, and Spotify is the latest company to get on board of the AI hype train. The music streaming service is launching a new AI DJ in beta today, which builds on the existing algorithm that powers Spotify’s personalized Discover Weekly playlists.

“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 feature, first rolling out in beta, will deliver a curated lineup of music alongside commentary around the tracks and artists we think you’ll like in a stunningly realistic voice,” the company explained.

Spotify’s AI DJ combines the company’s personalization algorithm with generative AI technology from ChatGPT maker OpenAI, as well as insights from Spotify’s music editors. “The DJ knows you and your music taste so well that it will scan the latest releases we know you’ll like, or take you back to that nostalgic playlist you had on repeat last year,” the announcement reads.

The voice of the new AI DJ imitates Xavier “X” Jernigan, Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships who previously hosted the company’s The Get Up morning show. Jernigan’s voice has been recreated using technology from Sonantic, an AI Voice platform that Spotify acquired last year. “His voice is the first model for the DJ, and we’ll continue to iterate and innovate, as we do with all our products,” Spotify said today.

Spotify’s new AI DJ is launching on mobile in beta today in the US and Canada. It’s currently only available for Premium subscribers via a new DJ card on the Music Feed. Once activated, the DJ will start playing music and share some comments on the songs and artists being played.

Beta testers will be able to tweak AI recommendations by tapping the DJ button at the bottom right corner of their screen. “The more you listen and tell the DJ what you like (and don’t like!), the better its recommendations get,” Spotify said today.