Spotify’s new AI function builds playlists primarily based on textual content descriptions

After experimenting with AI playlist era in its DJ function final yr, Spotify is now launching a beta device that permits customers to create a curated tracklist primarily based on textual content descriptions. Its new AI Playlist beta is initially rolling out to Spotify Premium subscribers on cellular gadgets in the UK and Australia.

Android and iOS customers in these areas can discover the AI Playlist generator by heading into “Your Library” and tapping the “+” button on the top-right of the web page. After choosing the AI Playlist choice from the drop-down menu, customers can sort in a immediate — corresponding to “music to learn to on a chilly, wet day” — to get a playlist of 30 songs that match that vibe. The outcomes may be tweaked utilizing extra prompts like “extra unhappy music” till the consumer is glad with the playlist, at which level it may be saved by tapping “create” on the prime proper.

In my testing, AI Playlists did a formidable job of matching songs to area of interest prompts. For instance, it spat out a pleasant mixture of rave-appropriate techno music after I requested it to generate a playlist that will “make me really feel like a vampire hunter from Blade (1998)” and even titled the playlist as “Blade’s Essence” with out extra enter. Spotify says that customers will get higher playlists by utilizing prompts that comprise “a mixture of genres, moods, artists, or many years,” and that locations, animals, actions, film characters, colours, and even emojis may be referenced by the function. Spotify says it can proceed engaged on its generative playlist function “over the approaching months.”

There are a number of limitations to concentrate on — AI Playlists gained’t produce outcomes for non-music-related prompts like present occasions or particular manufacturers, and there are “measures in place round prompts which can be offensive,” for instance. 

Utilizing it has been a enjoyable expertise to date. It’s a a lot quicker approach to throw collectively an ensemble than manually constructing a playlist, and offers some performance as a music discovery device for many who wish to discover new tunes that observe a particular aesthetic. That already makes it really feel extra helpful than Spotify’s AI DJ, which generates a customized playlist primarily based in your total listening historical past with restricted choices to curate the ultimate outcomes.

The brand new function may, nonetheless, even be a contributing issue within the worth will increase Spotify is predicted to introduce later this yr. In the meanwhile, Premium subscriptions begin at $5.99 per 30 days for college students or $10.99 for people. Now we have requested Spotify when different areas can count on the beta and can replace this story if we hear again.