Spotify tests AI-powered playlists: What you need to know،
Spotify is testing a brand new feature that would allow users to create new playlists using short ChatGPT-like prompts. For example: “Fill the silence with cafe background music” or “Energize with fun, upbeat and positive songs”, or you can ask Spotify to create a new, more specific playlist with “ Explore a niche genre like Witch House.” .
The AI feature is not yet rolled out for everyone to try; TechCrunch is reporting and while Spotify has confirmed that they are testing it, they have not shared any additional information about the technology and how it works, nor have they committed to a launch timetable.
There is a TikTok video (by @robdad_) and although short – in total, 11 seconds – it gives us a glimpse of what Spotify + AI could look like if this feature were available in the near future. As a side note: this might very well be limited to paying users, so don't be surprised if you don't get it on a free account.
What does it look like and what can it do?
“I just accidentally discovered ChatGPT from Spotify?” says the video caption of the aforementioned TikTok. There's also a short preview – at the moment the AI Playlists feature can be accessed from the 'Your Library' tab in the Spotify app by tapping the plus (+) button at the top right of the screen. Here, a context menu appears and the AI playlist feature is a new option under the existing “Playlist” and “Blend” options. The feature's description reads: “Turn your ideas into playlists using AI” and notes that it is currently only available in English.
What happens next will be very familiar to those who have used ChatGPT: a new chat-like window opens, waiting for your prompts and commands. There is a list of suggested prompts, but users can skip the menu and just type in what they want mixed especially for them.
Then there's a “Processing your request…” message from Spotify's AI, then the playlist itself is ready and you're taken to a new screen where you can swipe left to remove songs you don't want to further refine the playlist.
YouTube Music also went AI, but not music-related
In late October 2023, YouTube Music rolled out a new AI playlist art generator feature. This experimental feature (for US English-speaking users on YouTube Music) creates personalized playlist artwork using generative AI.
AI-generated images of pugs and turtles are lovely, but maybe it's time for YouTube Music to step up and catch up with Spotify…
