Spotify experiments with an AI DJ that speaks Spanish

Spotify’s addition of its AI DJ feature, which introduces personalized song selections to users, was the company’s first step into an AI future. Now, Spotify is developing an alternative version of that DJ that will speak Spanish.

References to the new AI DJ were spotted in the app’s code by tech veteran and reverse engineer Chris Messina. He found indications that users would be able to switch the AI DJ’s language from English to Spanish, as well as references to the new DJ’s name, “DJ Livi.” The code also suggests this AI DJ would be available in Mexico.

Assuming it rolls out, DJ Livi would represent the first language expansion for the feature, as its existing AI DJ — DJ X — launched globally last year, but only in English.

Reached for comment, Spotify didn’t dispute the findings.

“At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests aimed at letting users express themselves through the music they love,” a company spokesperson said. “Some of those end up paving the path for our broader user experience and others serve only as important learnings. We have no further news to share on future plans at this time,” they added.

In other words, Spotify isn’t yet ready to confirm definite launch plans for a Spanish-speaking AI DJ as, for now, the feature is only considered an experiment. However, it would make sense for Spotify to focus on this demographic, given the popularity of the Spanish language globally, where it ranks behind English, Mandarin and Hindi. Plus, Spanish is widely spoken in the U.S., a key market for Spotify, where there are over 42 million people who speak the language at home. Presumably, anyone would be able to set their AI DJ to Spanish, if the feature were to launch.

An AI DJ isn’t the only way Spotify has been testing new AI technologies. The company has also experimented with using AI to make host-read ads for podcasts and personalized AI playlists you can build using prompts. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has also teased plans for using AI across its business in areas like personalization, ads and podcast summaries.

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