Spotify is expanding the availability of its AI DJ to the United Kingdom and Ireland after launching in the U.S. and Canada in February.
The audio giant is using generative AI to create a tailor-made DJ that can personalize music based on a person’s preferences. The beta version rolled out in February 2023 for U.S. and Canadian users and it looks like Spotify is ready to expand the footprint to include the U.K. and Ireland.
The AI DJ works by sorting through the latest music and looking back at old favorites you’ve played before. It will review the likelihood that you’ll enjoy the track and then deliver a stream of songs picked for you, refreshing the line-up in real-time based on your feedback. If the AI DJ didn’t get the vibe right, you can request a switch-up at the tap of a button.
Spotify says its AI DJ is a combination of Spotify editors using OpenAI technology to surface new recommendations. “Our editors are able to scale their innate knowledge in ways never before possible,” the press release announcing the new feature reads. That may be as simple as someone at Spotify typing the query, ‘if someone likes Caravan Palace, what are some good music recommendations for them?’
The voice of the AI DJ uses technology from Spotify’s Sonantic acquisition to bring to life voice from text. The voice featured is that of Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier ‘X’ Jernigan. He previously served as the host of a Spotify morning show, The Get Up. Spotify says a personalized DJ is the most commonly requested feature from the United Kingdom and Ireland, so it made sense to expand availability there first.
“We’ve found that when DJ listeners hear commentary alongside personal music recommendations, they’re more willing to try something new (or listen to a song they may have otherwise skipped). On days when users tune in, fans spend 25% of their listening time with DJ—and they keep coming back,” Spotify says about the new feature.
What’s clear is that the personalized DJ resonates with younger audiences, too. Gen Z and Millennials make up 87% of users who are using the DI feature day after day.