In an exciting development for music lovers, Spotify has launched an AI-powered playlist creation tool in beta. Currently available to Spotify Premium subscribers on Android and iOS in the United Kingdom and Australia, this innovative feature allows users to generate personalized playlists simply by typing in a text prompt.
Everything you need to know:
✓ Spotify Premium users in UK & Australia can now generate personalized playlists from text prompts
✓ Combine genres, moods, artists, decades in prompts for best results. References to places, characters, colors allowed
✓ Feature still in beta; Spotify to refine in coming months. May factor into subscription price increases
Dubbed “AI Playlist,” this tool harnesses Spotify’s powerful personalization technology combined with artificial intelligence to deliver custom-tailored musical mixes based on user input. Whether you’re in the mood for “an indie folk playlist to give your brain a big warm hug,” seeking “relaxing music to tide you over during allergy season,” or want to feel like “the main character,” AI Playlist has got you covered.
How to use Spotify’s new AI playlist feature
Creating an AI-generated playlist is remarkably simple.
To access AI playlist:
1. Go to “Your Library”
2. Tap the “+” button at the top-right
3. Select “AI Playlist” from the drop-down menu
From there, users can either select one of the suggested prompts or let their creativity run wild by typing in their own unique prompt.
For example type in a prompt: → “Music to read to on a cold, rainy day,”
It will then generate a 30-song tracklist.
Once your list is created: → Save it by tapping “create” at the top right.
The key to generating the most successful playlists lies in crafting prompts that contain a combination of genres, moods, artists, or decades. Users can also reference places, animals, activities, movie characters, colors, and even emojis in their prompts. The more specific and imaginative the prompt, the more tailored the resulting playlist will be.
Once a prompt is entered, Spotify’s AI works its magic, offering a selection of tracks that match the desired vibe. Users can then preview and delete tracks, as well as refine the playlist by providing additional feedback, such as requesting “more pop” or “less upbeat” songs. The curated playlist can be saved with a simple tap of the “Create” button, automatically adding it to the user’s library.
The Verge had the opportunity to test drive the AI Playlist feature and reported impressive results. When prompted to generate a playlist that would “make me feel like a vampire hunter from Blade (1998),” Spotify’s AI delivered a perfect mix of rave-appropriate techno music, even titling the playlist “Blade’s Essence” without any additional input.
Spotify’s AI playlist and potential price increase
While the AI Playlist feature is designed to be fun and intuitive, it’s important to note that it is still in beta and comes with certain limitations. The tool won’t produce results for non-music-related prompts, such as current events or specific brands, and measures are in place to prevent the generation of playlists based on offensive prompts.
As Spotify continues to iterate and innovate on this new feature, users can expect further refinements and improvements over the coming months. The introduction of AI Playlist marks a significant step forward in music discovery and curation, providing users with a powerful tool to create personalized playlists tailored to their unique tastes and moods.
However, it’s worth noting that the launch of AI Playlist coincides with Spotify’s announcement of a potential price increase for its subscription plans later this year. While the company hasn’t directly linked the new feature to the anticipated price hike, it’s possible that the development and maintenance of AI-powered tools like AI Playlist may contribute to the need for increased revenue.
Illustration by Nick Barclay (The Verge)
Despite the potential impact on subscription costs, AI Playlist offers an exciting glimpse into the future of music curation. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and Spotify’s vast music library, users can now create highly personalized playlists with minimal effort, opening up new avenues for music discovery and enjoyment.
As the AI Playlist feature rolls out to more regions and undergoes further development, it has the potential to revolutionize the way users interact with and discover music on the platform. With just a few words, Spotify’s AI can now transform any idea into a carefully curated soundtrack, tailored to each individual user’s preferences.
So, whether you’re a diehard music enthusiast or simply looking for the perfect playlist to accompany your daily activities, Spotify’s AI Playlist is poised to become an indispensable tool in your musical journey. Get ready to unleash your creativity and let Spotify’s AI work its magic, one playlist at a time.
