Spotify is rolling out a major update to its popular AI DJ feature, giving listeners significantly more control over voice selection, regional accents, personality types, and the frequency of spoken commentary between tracks. Initially launched in 2023, the AI DJ feature has become one of Spotify's most prominent uses of artificial intelligence and is currently utilized by more than 94 million Spotify Premium listeners across over 95 global markets. The latest enhancement shifts the feature closer to the customization levels commonly found in modern AI assistants, allowing users to tailor the listening experience to different social settings, personal moods, and listening preferences.
Key takeaways
- Spotify Premium users can now select from a wider variety of AI DJ voices, including seven English options and two Spanish options.
- New voice choices feature British, American, Irish, Australian, and Indian accents with unique personality traits.
- Listeners can now toggle off frequent commentary between songs for a continuous background music experience.
- The rollout begins immediately for Premium subscribers in regions where the DJ feature is already supported.
Expanded voice library and regional accents
Under the new update, subscribers gain access to seven distinct English voice options featuring British, American, Irish, Australian, and Indian accents. The American options include varied personality traits designed to suit different listener preferences: Casey is characterized as laid-back and warm, Tess is direct with an edge, and Lane features a Southern accent with youthful energy. These new choices join the original AI DJ voice named "X," which was based on actual voice recordings of a Spotify employee.
Alongside the English updates, Spotify has introduced two new Spanish voices that replace the previous single option known as "Livi." The fresh Spanish choices include Nico, described as more down-to-earth, and Fabi, who brings a witty and friendly tone to the stream. These voice options expand the ways users interact with the app, offering more familiar regional phrasing and conversational tones.
Controlling the chatter and background listening
In addition to the expanded voice library, Spotify has introduced a practical setting that allows users to toggle off the commentary between songs. While the AI DJ typically introduces music selections and explains the reasoning behind each pick, the new setting limits interruptions to brief acknowledgements only when the user first starts or stops the feature. Spotify notes this capability makes the DJ suitable for scenarios like hosting parties where uninterrupted background music is preferred over frequent DJ banter, essentially mimicking a standard music playlist with the added benefit of AI curation.
To access the updated options, users can search for the term "DJ" in the Spotify app search bar, then tap the three-dot menu to select their preferred voice and commentary settings. Users can also continue to change genres, artists, or recommendations while the DJ is active by tapping the DJ button again. The new voices and controls begin rolling out to Premium users in supported markets where the feature is already available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
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