The music streaming platform said the feature is now available in more than 75 markets, including Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea and Switzerland.

Spotify launched the AI DJ feature in 2023. At first, it mainly offered spoken commentary between tracks while recommending music based on a user’s listening habits. Since then, the company has steadily added more interactive features.

Last year, Spotify updated the tool so users could speak with the DJ directly and ask for changes in mood, genre or style during a listening session. Users can now also request specific tracks through voice or text prompts.

The company said each new language version comes with its own DJ personality and voice.

For French listeners, the DJ is called Maïa. Spotify described the character as “Effortlessly cool and treats every listener like a friend who already has great taste.”

The German-language DJ, Ben, is described as “The kind of voice that makes listening feel intentional: warm and present, without trying too hard.”

Spotify said Alex, the Italian DJ, is “Warm and grounded: the voice that bridges the gap between knowing music and truly feeling it.”

For Brazilian Portuguese users, Dani is “Always one song ahead of the moment: eclectic and genuinely excited to share what’s next.”

The company said the feature continually builds on Spotify’s goal towards more customised recommendations inside the app.

“Since launching in 2023, DJ (beta) has helped shape a more personalised listening experience for 94 million Spotify Premium users,” Spotify said.

The DJ tool combines music suggestions with spoken commentary and draws from a user’s listening history to recommend familiar tracks, older favourites and new releases.

Spotify has also been adding other AI-based tools across the platform. These include playlist generation features that allow users to create music or podcast playlists by describing what they want to hear.

Users can access DJ from Spotify’s home page or by searching for “DJ” inside the app. Language settings can be changed through the menu within the DJ card.

From today, users can bypass algorithmic guesswork by speaking directly to the AI DJ. A long press on the ‘DJ’ button in the app triggers a beep, after which users can say exactly what they want to hear.

Whether it’s “play me some electronic beats for a midday run” or “surprise me with some indie tracks I’ve never heard before,” the DJ responds instantly.

Previously, the Spotify AI DJ would shuffle tracks with limited input from the user. Now, the streaming giant says listeners can guide it by specifying artists, genres, moods, or even activities.

It’s a huge change, one that brings the feature closer to being a genuinely interactive music assistant rather than a static recommendation tool.

Spotify is deploying this update in English across more than 60 markets. According to the company, “DJ listener engagement has nearly doubled over the past year,” pointing to high user interest in personalised, AI-powered music experiences.

This isn’t the first attempt by Spotify to blend AI with customisation. Last year, it launched a feature that generated playlists from written prompts, including quirky suggestions like “music to soundtrack my life as a movie.” The same logic now powers the DJ’s voice-driven playlist curation.

The update comes with a caveat: it only supports music-related requests. Podcasts, audiobooks, and unrelated queries won’t work. And because voice input is required, it may not suit every environment, something users should keep in mind.

What makes this development unique isn’t just the technology but the underlying strategy. Spotify is doubling down on immersive, hands-free music engagement. 

Now, the company is rolling it out to premium subscribers across approximately 50 markets worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, and more.

Accessible via the “music” feed section in the Spotify mobile app, the DJ feature crafts a unique listening experience by curating a musical selection peppered with spoken-word commentary. This commentary, rendered by a synthetic voice, combines light-hearted banter with contextual information that references the user’s past musical preferences and tracks.

The magic of Spotify AI-powered DJ lies in its ability to replicate the charm of a radio host tailor-making content for individual listeners. Through the infusion of each playlist with relevant insights and tidbits, DJ takes personalization to a new level. Initially launched as a beta feature in the U.S. and Canada, it later expanded to the U.K. and Ireland. However, it’s essential to note that DJ is still in its beta phase, albeit now available to a much broader global audience.

While this advancement is a significant leap towards global engagement, there are a few caveats to bear in mind. The majority of European Union countries will have to wait a little longer for access. Additionally, the feature’s commentary will be available exclusively in English across the newly added markets.

Creators and music enthusiasts alike stand to benefit from this innovation. As listeners receive tailored commentary, creators have a unique opportunity to amplify their impact by fostering deeper connections with their audiences. This evolution in music consumption sets the stage for a more immersive, interactive, and engaging musical journey for all.