Spotify let the world in on its groundbreaking new AI DJ feature earlier this year, before expanding the launch to 50 markets around the world including Australia at the beginning of August. The AI DJ (which can be activated from the home screen, as well as in the search screen under ‘Made For You’) introduces itself as Xavier, before flexing that it knows you and your music taste to a T. Xavier then curates your own unique mix on the fly based on music you’ve been listening to recently as well as the stuff you might’ve forgotten you were obsessing over years ago. 

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Continuing with their ongoing goal of personalisation, Spotify have really outdone themselves this time. The AI DJ is a huge step in the right direction when it comes to customisation and (almost) humanising their algorithm. Up until now we’ve had the luxury of Discover Weekly and the annual Wrapped review, which are both great in their own right. While they’ve always been extremely accurate at pinpointing what you’re into, and neatly documenting it for you, the algorithm remained hidden working away in the background. Now it has a voice scarily reminiscent of Ice-T, behind the figurative decks spinning all your favourite jams, new and old.

Xavier can even handle critical feedback, allowing you to tap the DJ button at any given moment to change up the ambience. The more you interact with the AI, letting it know what you do and don’t like, the more on point its recommendations are going to be. So if you’ve ever wanted to go up to the DJ at the club and ask them to play ‘All Star’ by Smash Mouth but you’ve been too nervous, this is the next best thing.