Spotify’s AI DJ Just Got a Voice Upgrade—Here’s How It Works

The music giant’s AI sidekick now takes requests like a real radio host

Spotify’s AI DJ is no longer just a passive commentator—it’s learning to listen. The streaming giant has rolled out voice commands for its AI DJ feature, letting Premium subscribers in over 60 markets request songs, switch genres, or adjust the vibe hands-free. For now, the feature only understands English, but it’s a major leap toward making the DJ feel less like a preprogrammed playlist and more like an interactive companion.

“Voice control bridges the gap between algorithmic curation and human spontaneity,” says a Spotify insider. “It’s the DJ you can actually argue with.”

Here’s how it works: Type “DJ” in Spotify’s search bar to summon the AI, then hold the DJ button to speak your request—whether it’s a specific artist, a genre like “indie folk,” or a mood like “chill.” Tap the button instead, and you’ll cycle through preset mood shifts (think: “energetic” to “focus”). The update builds on the DJ’s original February 2023 launch in the U.S. and Canada, which expanded globally by August 2023 and added Spanish support shortly after.

Spotify’s bet is clear: Voice interaction could make the AI DJ indispensable. Unlike static playlists, the DJ now adapts in real time—ask for “something nostalgic,” and it might queue early 2000s hits; demand “less hip-hop,” and it pivots on the fly. The feature joins Spotify’s other AI experiments, like text-prompted playlists (type “songs to soundtrack a rainy heist movie,” and voilà).

Why Spotify wants you talking to your playlist

This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about habit-forming. By adding voice, Spotify nudges users to engage with the DJ daily, cementing it as a go-to instead of a novelty. The move aligns with the company’s broader AI push, from personalized “Discover Weekly” playlists to its recent audiobook narration tests. Competitors like Apple Music and Amazon Music have voice controls, but Spotify’s twist is personality: The DJ’s cheeky commentary (recorded by a human, for now) makes requests feel like banter.

“The goal isn’t to replace human DJs—it’s to mimic the back-and-forth of a great radio show,” says a source familiar with the project.

For users, the upside is obvious: less scrolling, more serendipity. But the update also hints at Spotify’s endgame. If the DJ learns your voice preferences over time, it could hyper-personalize recommendations—maybe even preemptively skipping songs you always dismiss. One hurdle? Perfecting non-English support. Until then, the AI DJ remains a bilingual work in progress, with global ambitions and a few lost-in-translation kinks to iron out.

Whether you’re a voice-control skeptic or an early adopter, one thing’s clear: The era of one-sided algorithms is fading. Music curation is becoming a conversation—and Spotify’s AI DJ is learning to talk back.