Spotify Launches AI Tool for Creating Personalized Playlists

Spotify has launched an AI-powered tool that allows users to generate customized playlists.

AI Playlist is available in beta to Spotify Premium subscribers on Android and iOS in the U.K. and Australia.

The new feature enables users to create playlists using natural language. Users can type a prompt like, “Create an indie rock playlist to work out to” and the AI tool populates a playlist with songs that match the listener’s request.

AI Playlist understands themes including places, colors and emojis to turn user requests into personalized playlists.

Users could, for example, use AI Playlists to create “sad music for painting dying flowers” or “tracks for horse riding into the sunset.”

Credit: Spotify

Spotify app users in the U.K. and Australia can find the AI Playlist feature under the Your Library tab. Hitting the “+” button and selecting the AI Playlist tool opens up a textbox where users can prompt the system.

Users retain control over the playlist's contents, able to delete any irrelevant tracks as they seefit.

The new Spotify tool will not generate search results for non-music-related queries such as current events or specific brands. Additionally, AI playlists will reject prompts deemed "offensive."

“At Spotify, we aim to deliver the right piece of music for that exact moment in time. With AI Playlist in beta, we’re excited to give Premium subscribers in the U.K. and Australia a brand-new way to discover music,” according to a Spotify announcement. “Over the coming months, we look forward to continuing to iterate on this new feature to best serve our listeners.”

Related:Spotify's Research Director on AI and the Personalization of Music

Spotify’s AI Playlists launch follows the streaming platform’s AI DJ tool, unveiled last March, which recommends tracks by learning a user’s taste.

Powered by generative AI technology from OpenAI, AI DJ curates music and commentary around specific artists based on the listener's preferences as it keeps learning over time.

Spotify’s research director told AI Business last year that its generative AI plans focus on powering personalized user experiences.

While focusing on personalization, the platform has steered clear of AI  music, taking down thousands of AI-generated tracks following complaints from record labels including Universal Music Group.