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Spotify has confirmed testing a new feature that allows users to create playlists with the assistance of AI technology and prompts. The “AI playlists” feature was observed in the wild, with users able to customize playlists by selecting prompts or creating their own using an AI chatbot-like interface. The feature is part of Spotify’s ongoing investment in AI across its app, following the introduction of an AI DJ earlier in the year. While the company acknowledges the test, no further details, including a release date, have been provided. The feature aims to gauge user reactions to AI-driven playlist creation.

It was discovered earlier this fall that Spotify was working on a new feature that would let users of its streaming app make playlists with the help of AI technology and prompts. In an attempt to gauge user reaction to AI-driven playlist creation, the “AI playlists” feature has now been observed in the wild. The business told TechCrunch that the test had taken place, but it gave no other information about the technology or its operation, nor did it provide a release date.

User @robdad_ demonstrated the feature in a TikTok video, captioning it, “I just randomly discovered Spotify’s ChatGPT?” The screenshots he shared indicate that tapping the plus (+) button located at the upper right corner of the screen on the Spotify app’s “Your Library” tab will enable you to access the AI playlists feature. The AI playlist feature is a new option that appears here as a pop-up menu beneath the already-existing “Playlist” and “Blend” options.

“Turn your ideas into playlists using AI” is how the feature is described, and it’s only available in English for now.

After choosing the option, users are shown a screen where they can either choose from a list of pre-suggested prompts to get started, or they can type their own prompt into a box resembling an AI chatbot. Prompt ideas like “explore a niche genre like Witch House,” “get pumped up with fun, upbeat, and positive songs,” “fill in the silence with background café music,” and “get focused at work with instrumental electronica” were showcased in the video.

When the user chose the latter option, the AI chatbot displayed a sample playlist after saying, “Processing your request.” To further hone the playlist, swipe left from this screen to eliminate any songs you don’t want.

Tech guru Chris Messina shared screenshots of a feature that would create “playlists based on your prompts” and found references to this new AI feature in Spotify mobile, which TechCrunch had reported about in October. At the time, Spotify would not comment on rumors of new features, so it declined to confirm its intentions regarding AI playlists.

The company has only confirmed that the AI playlists feature was a test thus far, attempting to minimize user expectations and excitement.

We perform several tests on a regular basis. While some of those assessments ultimately help us in our larger endeavors, others are merely valuable learning tools, according to a Spotify representative. They continued, “At this point, we don’t have anything more to share.”

The streamer has been heavily investing in AI across its app, even though the company isn’t ready to commit to the launch of AI playlists just yet. At the beginning of the year, an AI DJ was introduced, offering personalized playlists and commentary in an AI voice based on Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan. In August, that feature was made available everywhere.

“A large research team that is understanding all the possibilities across Large Language Models, across generative voice, [and] across personalization,” said Ziad Sultan, Spotify’s head of personalization, in reference to DJ’s launch. Spotify wants to be recognized for its “AI expertise,” he told TechCrunch.

The CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek, hinted at additional applications of AI in the company, stating that generative AI might be used to automatically produce audio advertisements and summarize podcasts. Additionally, he has praised the use of AI in music production, expressing his ability to see musicians utilizing AI tools to compose new music. In addition, Spotify uses AI to power its personalization features and has explored using the technology to create host-read podcast advertisements that sound authentic. It is therefore not surprising that it would apply AI to one of its app’s more well-liked use cases, playlist creation.

When and if the new AI feature is made available to the general public are still unknown. Tell us whether you have the feature in your app and how well you think it functions in the interim.