Spotify, a streaming audio company with over 600 million subscribers and 100 million tracks available, is increasingly utilizing AI to personalize song recommendations. Their recently launched AI DJ aims to help listeners explore new music outside of their comfort zone. However, accurately determining when users want to discover new music versus sticking to their established preferences remains challenging. Spotify offers a suite of recommendation tools, such as the Home feed, Discover Weekly, Blend, Daylist, and Made for You Mixes, which have contributed to an increase in artist discoveries. The AI DJ combines personalization technology, generative AI, and a dynamic AI voice to provide personalized listening sessions and introduce listeners to new music. Spotify's team of music editors and experts worldwide work with generative AI to scale their knowledge for enhanced recommendations. The AI algorithm analyzes data on songs and artists, including musical features, pairings, and user preferences, to generate personalized recommendations.

Spotify has found that listeners are more willing to try new music when accompanied by commentary. Achieving a balance between discovering new music and sticking to familiar patterns is a challenge for Spotify, listeners, and artists. While some listeners want to explore new genres, most people find comfort in familiar musical terrain. Spotify's Daylist attempts to use generative AI to consider established tastes and various contexts to provide recommendations suitable for different moods and activities. Technology optimists view the abundance of music as an opportunity, but critics argue that algorithms may simplify and entrench popular sensibilities. Some prefer playlists curated by humans, highlighting their personal preferences and patterns. Whether AI is utopian or dystopian depends on the individual, and while it can be a useful tool, users should still be aware of their own preferences and have prompts ready to find great music on Spotify.