Spotify Introduces AI "Talk to Spotify", Can Create Playlists Through Conversation

JAKARTA - Spotify officially introduced the latest artificial intelligence (AI) feature called Talk to Spotify, a virtual assistant that allows users to interact as if chatting with ChatGPT. Through this feature, users can not only search for songs, but also create playlists, set music queues, and dig up information about their listening habits.

This feature, which is still in beta status, has started to be launched for Spotify Premium customers aged 18 and over in the United States, Ireland, and Sweden. For the initial stage, the service is only available in English.

Until now, Spotify users have had to type in the name of a song, artist, or playlist to find the desired content. Now, with Talk to Spotify, the entire process can be done through a conversation using text and voice. Users simply give simple instructions such as, "Play an artist I've never heard of before."

If the list of songs played is considered inappropriate, users can immediately continue the conversation with commands such as, "Make the atmosphere more exciting," or "Add Bad Bunny's latest songs."

AI will understand the context of the conversation without the user having to repeat the request from the beginning.

Can Set Playlist Without Touching the Screen

In addition to recommending music, Spotify's AI chatbot is also able to manage the user's song library.

Users can ask AI to:

- save songs to the library,

adding songs to the playlist,

create a new playlist,

following favorite artists,

search for a podcast,

find audiobooks.

All of these commands can be done only through voice, so it's more practical when driving, exercising, or doing other activities.

Can Answer Questions about Listening Habits

One of the most interesting capabilities of Talk to Spotify is its access to user activity history.

If previously users had to wait until the end of the year to see the Spotify Wrapped summary, now similar information can be asked at any time.

For example, users can ask:

"What is the most common genre of music I listen to these days?"

"When was the first time I played this song?"

"What was the most played song last month?"

AI kemudian akan memberikan jawaban berdasarkan riwayat penggunaan akun Spotify.

Not Just Music, Podcasts and Audiobooks Are Also Supported

Spotify's AI capabilities do not stop at music. While listening to a song, users can ask about the inspiration behind the song, the year the album was released, to information about the artist.

For audiobooks, AI is able to explain other works by the same author. Meanwhile, on podcasts, users can find out if a narrator has appeared in other episodes or programs.

In other words, Talk to Spotify functions like an audio encyclopedia that can be discussed directly.

Combining Spotify's AI Technology and Large Language Model

Spotify explained that Talk to Spotify was built using a combination of the company's AI technology and a number of large language models (LLMs) from third parties.

This approach allows the chatbot to understand the context of the conversation more naturally while providing increasingly personalized recommendations based on each user's listening habits.

Not Globally Available

Currently, Talk to Spotify has only been launched gradually for Spotify Premium customers in the United States, Ireland, and Sweden.

Spotify has not announced when the feature will be available in other countries, including Indonesia. However, given the strategy of launching AI features previously, it is not impossible that this service will be expanded to more markets in the coming months.

The presence of Talk to Spotify shows that the competition for music streaming platforms is no longer only focused on the collection of songs or audio quality. The integration of AI conversation is a new step to provide a more personal, intuitive, and interactive experience. By recognizing the user's music taste, listening history, and preferences, Spotify strives to make its application not just a streaming service, but a digital assistant that understands the habits of each listener.