In February we reveal DJ, a personalized AI guide that understands you and your musical taste so well that it chooses for you. We are now excited to start rolling out DJ in beta to Premium users in the UK and Ireland.
Spotify is jumping on the AI bandwagon with a new music customization feature called ‘DJ’.
Essentially like a DJ at a club, Spotify’s AI will play you a curated list of music based on its knowledge of your preferences.
The AI will also give you feedback on tracks and artists with an “incredibly realistic voice.”
“DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your taste in music so well that it can choose what to play for you,” Spotify said.
In its center, DJ is all about connection and discovery. And thanks to the powerful DJ combination of SpotifyPowered by personalization technology, generative AI using OpenAI technology in the hands of our music experts and a dynamic AI voice, listening has never felt so personal.
When we were deciding where to DJ next, the UK and Ireland made sense. We have a team of local music experts in the region, and this is where some of the fundamental DJ technology has been developed.
We also know there’s demand – while we’ve seen fans from all over the world requesting DJs, users request it more often on social media in the UK and Ireland.* But don’t take it away from us. . .
When users in the UK and Ireland tune in, they’ll be greeted by a stunningly realistic AI voice, inspired by Spotify’s own Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. In addition, they will be served songs and context oriented to them. For example, users who tune in right at launch time can hear about how arlo parks is releasing his new album, my smooth machine at the end of May together with his collaboration, “Phoenix”, with a long-time friend and role model Phoebe bridges. And when it comes to an engaging listening experience, these context-relevant moments are winning over DJs.
We found that when DJ listeners hear feedback along with personal music recommendations, they’re more willing to try something new (or listen to a song they might have otherwise skipped). On days when users tune in, fans spend 25% of their listening time with the DJ, and they keep coming back. More than half of first-time listeners return to hear a DJ the next day.**
And DJ has especially resonated with Gen Z and Millennials, who make up 87% of DJ users.***
But this is only the beginning. DJ is still in beta and we will continue to iterate and innovate to evolve the experience over time.
