Spotify launches ChatGPT-like conversational AI assistant for Premium users

Spotify is taking another major step in its AI strategy. On July 14, the streaming giant announced a new conversational AI feature for Premium subscribers that allows users to interact with the app through natural language to choose what music or other audio they want to hear.

The feature is initially available in the U.S., Ireland, and Sweden across iOS and Android devices for users 18 years old and above in English. It is considered a beta release, meaning things may not always work perfectly, but user feedback will help improve the product.

Spotify confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature uses a mix of its own AI technology and models from multiple providers, chosen based on what is best for each task.

The addition is the latest example of how Spotify has put AI technology to use to enhance its listening experience. The company already offers an AI DJ that speaks in an AI voice users can engage with directly, plus tools for building playlists with prompts and connecting Spotify with third-party AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

The new feature extends chat capabilities beyond the AI DJ experience, allowing users to talk to Spotify across the app's Home and Now Playing views on mobile devices. Users can either type or speak to the app and have back-and-forth conversations to choose what to play next. Spotify says the app can also chat about users' listening history and help them learn more about their favorite music or dive deeper into podcasts or audiobooks.

Users can ask about what inspired a certain song, album release dates, or get suggestions for similar artists based on current listening. They can also query their own listening history, such as when they first played a track or what genres they have been streaming lately.

Spotify suggests use cases like asking to "play some artists I haven't heard before" and then refining the selection with follow-up requests—adding a specific artist by name, narrowing to recent tracks, or asking for "more upbeat" music.

Users can also save songs, add tracks to their queue, or follow artists through the new feature. The rollout begins immediately on mobile devices in supported markets.

With streaming competitors like Apple Music also strengthening their AI recommendations, Spotify's conversational approach represents a strategic bet on differentiated AI experiences that position the platform as an intelligent audio companion rather than just a media player.