Spotify doubles down on AI with a ChatGPT-like music assistant

Fast-tracking AI across its platform, Spotify has announced that, starting Tuesday, Premium users will be able to have interactive conversations with the app to choose what music they want to listen to. The feature will initially be available in the United States, Ireland, and Sweden on iOS and Android for Premium users aged 18 and above in English.

The feature is launching in beta as Spotify gathers user feedback to refine the experience. While the company did not explicitly disclose the AI technology powering the feature, it marks the latest step in Spotify's efforts to use AI to help users navigate its extensive catalogue of music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

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The rollout builds on Spotify's growing suite of AI-powered features, including the AI DJ, which speaks in a synthetic voice and can now be engaged with directly. The platform also offers AI-powered playlist creation through natural language prompts and integrations with third-party AI chatbots such as ChatGPT. The new conversational feature will enable users to discuss their listening history with Spotify and receive personalised recommendations for songs, podcasts, and audiobooks.

That means users can dive deeper into specific songs, discover similar artists, or explore entire genres through a natural back-and-forth conversation. In its announcement, Spotify also shared a few examples of how the feature can be used.

For example, users can ask Spotify to "play some artists I haven't heard before" and then refine the playlist through follow-up prompts. They can request the assistant to include a specific artist, limit recommendations to newer releases, or adjust the mood by asking for something "more upbeat" or providing other preferences.

The feature also allows users to save tracks, add songs to their playback queue, and follow artists using natural language commands.

Spotify said the feature is now rolling out to supported markets on mobile devices.