Spotify expands AI features for playlist creation to new markets

Spotify has announced that it will make its generative AI-powered playlist creation tool available to premium users in four new markets, including the United States and Canada. Currently available in beta mode, the 'AI Playlist' feature allows subscribers to create a personalized music selection that can be further refined through additional text input. This expansion includes the U.S. and Canada as well as Ireland and New Zealand. The goal of this expansion is to attract new subscribers and enhance the app with AI-powered technology to compete against the growing competition from Apple and Amazon. 'AI Playlist' was introduced in the UK and Australia in April and currently does not deliver results for non-music queries like current events or specific brands, as it is still in the beta phase. In addition to 'AI Playlist,' Spotify offers other personalized tools such as 'daylist,' a daily updated playlist with new music recommendations, and 'AI DJ,' which generates music suggestions based on users' listening habits. In the second quarter of the year, the number of paying subscribers to the Swedish streaming platform increased by about 12% compared to the previous year, totaling 246 million.