Spotify rolls out new AI DJ feature that attemps to brings back the disc jockey – Point Park Globe

By Kylie Thomas, Collaborative Feature/A&E Editor
March 29, 2023

I loved listening to the radio in the car when the disc jockey was hosting the hourly show. It was fun to hear someone talk about the music they were playing or the news of the world after every few songs. As streaming became more popular, I found myself missing that aspect of my childhood. But recently, Spotify has tried to bring this nostalgic feature to streaming with its new AI DJ.

AI DJ is a beta rollout from Spotify as part of a new update. This new update was controversial as it completely changed the face of the homepage. Homepages are now filled with Instagram story-like content that users can click on. This is a change from endless playlists and options that users can scroll through. I think that’s why Spotify hoped this new DJ feature would bring people back.

The new AI DJ portion of the update creates mixes of songs based on the subscriber’s listening history. The mix contains not only songs that the listener knows, but also new discoveries. Every few songs (usually his four) a DJ named X would show up and talk about what they were going to play next. Listeners can also access his DJ early on to switch up the atmosphere by clicking the blue DJ button.

What the DJ actually has to say is pretty limited so far. Just let the listener know what you’re up to (listen to their recent playlists, go back to old favourites, etc.).

Keep clicking to bring back DJs, just to see if there’s anything more interesting than band names and classic DJ catchphrases. Just repeating the same topic. It ends up playing whatever music your friends are listening to, which is a really cool feature.

I’m not going to praise Spotify’s DJs per se. Rather, I would like to praise Spotify for mixing by this feature. A perfect blend of recently listened, memorable, new and everything in between. The playlists aren’t exhaustive (from what I’ve found) and can be listened to for long periods of time without boredom or repetition (a new take on Spotify).

In fact, I think the downside of the new feature is the DJ himself (per se? Does the AI ​​have senses?). The DJ almost mocks his jockey, who doesn’t add much to the experience and has lost his job thanks to streaming his services like Spotify. It’s a good concept, but not fully executed. If a brand wants to incorporate AI into its programs, it might be worth spending time making that AI more personal and interactive. Spotify already has a ton of information about bands and their songs on the app, so just including that information in his DJ talks adds a whole new level.

I’m not saying Spotify has completely failed here. In fact, I have many friends who really like the future. But as someone who grew up listening to the radio, it doesn’t live up to my expectations. I think Spotify still has a long way to go to come close to recreating the disc jockey.