Spotify is no stranger to AI, having already launched its AI-powered DJ feature and even more recently introducing AI-translated podcasts.
Now, as reported by Tech Crunch and spotted by tech veteran-turned-investor Chris Messina, it appears that the streaming platform may be working on AI-powered playlists.
In theory, users could create playlists using prompts, something that’s already possible through tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney.
References spotted by Messina in the music app’s code indicate that the company may be developing such a tool, with screenshots of code being shared that refer to “AI playlists” and “playlists based on your prompts”.
Messina also theorised that creating these may be an option within the Blend genre, a space on the streaming platform where the tastes of different users are mixed to create a playlist with songs that everyone likes.
When asked for comment by Tech Crunch, Spotify declined to confirm its plans around AI playlists, stating only: “At Spotify, we are constantly iterating and ideating to improve our product offering and offer value to users.
“We don’t comment on speculation around possible new features and do not have anything new to share at this time.”
If the AI-generative playlists are on the way, the lines of code referring to such a feature were all spotted in the latest build of the app, suggesting that this is a very recent development.
It’s well worth noting that, as with any software, not every feature pursued by a company always comes to fruition. Nonetheless, it’s a good indicator that Spotify may well be thinking creatively about how AI can enhance users’ experience of streaming music.
This would certainly fit with Spotify’s DNA, with the app’s USP always being how it learns from its users and recommends music to them. If AI can help to do this to an even greater extent, it would surely be a popular feature among many users.
