Spotify introduces ‘DJ,’ a new tool that provides tailored music accompanied by AI-powered commentary.

Ahead of Spotify’s upcoming Stream On event, when the company is expected to introduce a redesigned home feed and other upgrades, the business launched a new AI function called “DJ” to better personalize the music listening experience for its customers. Spotify’s DJ function, similar to a radio DJ, will give a curated mix of music and AI-powered spoken commentary about the tracks and artists you enjoy, using what Spotify calls a “stunningly realistic  voice.”

Spotify DJ, the latest Premium membership feature, employs artificial intelligence to simulate the feel of a live radio station, replete with running commentary provided by Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. This upgraded version of AI replicates the voice of Spotify’s morning show host, The GetUp, and includes personalized commentary between tracks based on machine learning about your listening patterns and music choices, as well as fun tidbits about the album or song you’re listening to.

According to the corporation, the objective is for Spotify to get to know consumers so well that the DJ can choose what to play for you when you press the button. Or, as Spotify puts it, an “AI DJ in your pocket.” More broadly, the function has the potential to make Spotify a more relaxed, passive experience for customers who don’t want to tell Spotify what to play next or fumble about with its UI to discover a playlist they like.

Spotify says it gave its music editors, specialists, scriptwriters, and data curators access to OpenAI’s Generative AI technology so they could grow their knowledge of music, artists, and genres. The technology is being used to make “culturally relevant, accurate bits of criticism at scale,” according to the business.

With the majority of the technology industry focusing on new ways to harness AI advancements, it was only a matter of time before Spotify released its own take on how current AI may be used to better its customization experience. In this scenario, the business claims that its new DJ function is a hybrid of its existing personalization technology, an AI voice from the 2022 Sonantic acquisition, and Generative AI via OpenAI technology.

According to Spotify, DJ will go through the current music and revisit some of your old favourites, possibly reviving a song you haven’t heard in years. It will then analyse your preferences and deliver a playlist of songs tailored specifically to you. Furthermore, it regularly updates the lineup based on your response.

The OpenAI-powered function is still under beta testing as of today’s debut and is presently accessible in English to Spotify Premium customers in the United States and Canada. Here’s how Spotify suggests you try DJ out:

1. Open the Spotify app on your iOS or Android smartphone and navigate to your Music Feed (opens in a new tab) on Home.
2. Press the Play button on the DJ card.
3. Leave the rest to Spotify! The DJ will play a selection of music for you, along with a brief discussion about the songs and performers.
4. Are you not feeling the vibe? Simply press the DJ button in the bottom right corner of the screen to switch to different genres, artists, or moods.