5 feature enhancements for Spotify AI DJ to improve usability, add delight, and increase adoption.
In February of 2023, Spotify integrated Artificial Intelligence into their software with a beta feature called AI DJ and rolled it out as a limited release to mobile users. As a beta feature that introduces novelty and innovation it had delivered a lot.
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A month after the feature release, I opened my app see I was in the "top 1% of DJ listeners." I had been listening to Spotify exclusively through the AI DJ while working, walking, and everything else. Having used it so much and in speaking with friends about why they're not using it, I explored designs for five feature enhancements I believe would lead to greater adoption.
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This project was a design exploration driven by my interest in the product.
Role
Product designer with a desire to improve software around me. This project is a design exploration.
Why? I'm fascinated by the integration of AI in everyday experiences. I'm also into music discovery and artist exposure. The intersection of my interests lead me to this case study.
Impact
After posting the case study on Linkedin, it lead to over 3K impressions, 1.5K unique views, reactions, and inbound views of my portfolio.
How does Spotify AI DJ work?
AI DJ reinvented radio on a personal level. It guides listeners on a tailored journey, providing music they love, introducing new and exciting tracks, and presenting culturally relevant music. This combination offers the best of both worlds, effectively creating a 24-hour radio station that caters solely to the user. By combining both discovery-driven nature of traditional radio and the algorithmic curation of streaming services, AI DJ offers users a unique blend of familiarity and exploration.
5 ideas for feature enhancement
To increase ease & delight
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Customization of the DJ's voice for marketing opportunities and just for fun​
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'Quiet Mode' setting to accommodate different user needs
To improve usability
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Explicit user controls for a personalized experience
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Quick access to AI DJ on the go
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Hardware integration for remote control
Customization of the DJ's voice for marketing opportunities and just for fun​
These days, users love customizing everything, from their homescreens to funky emojis in contact names. Spotify is a personal space for an individual's music library and listening experience. With their recent acquisition of Sonantic, Spotify has the technology to configure endless humaniod voices to their AI DJ.
The ability to customize a DJ's voice would surprise and delight users and serve as a marketing tool.
How can custom AI DJ voices boost feature adoption?
The Waze navigation app has a library of voices for GPS directions. They fall into similar categories the AI DJ could leverage: functional, fun, & international.​
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1. Drive adoption through artist partnerships
AI DJ in Artist's voices to promote music releases or concerts to their fans. This can drive first-time adoption and cross-promotion.
2. Fun voices prompt first time interaction
Introducing novelty voices can delight users and make a positive brand impression. Campaigns for voices that users connect with will drive first time interaction and adoption.
3. Localized voices unlock international markets
As a global company, Spotify could offer AI DJ listening mode to millions of users in their native language, thereby increasing the user base.
'Quiet Mode' setting to accommodate different user needs
The AI DJ experience has a guiding voice that introduces new sets, provides context, and pays homage to traditional radio hosts. Some users find DJ interruptions disruptive during work, exercise, or study sessions, leading them to avoid this listening mode altogether.
To facilitate wider adoption and cater to a broader range of users, the introduction of “Quiet Mode" would run the AI DJ and silence the commentary between sets.
A toggle for Quiet Mode ON/OFF empowers the user to limit disruptions based on preference.
Explicit user controls for a personalized experience
The current AI DJ experience has a single control to trigger the DJ to switch the set.
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The beta feature relies on implicit behavior tracking to gauge user preferences. This method may be error prone due to the lack of explicit user involvement.
Explicit controls in context: ChatGPT uses positive, negative and neutral controls for users to indicate success or failure of the model. This information further refines future answers.
2 benefits to integrating explicit feedback mechanisms into AI DJ:
1. User involvement in detailed personalization of their queue and taste preferences
2. Improved accuracy of the AI training through clear user input
'More of this' and 'Next set'
Maintain the current behavior and launch the AI DJ from this icon button. Instead of shuffling the set immediately, keep the music playing and present the DJ screen.
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More of this (Positive feedback indicating interest)
“I want more of this set!” 
New functionality to extend the set that’s playing.
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Next Set (Negative feedback indicating disinterest)
“Play something else.” Reframing existing functionality to switch to the next set.
Quick access to AI DJ on the go
Integrating AI DJ into existing native Spotify touch points allows for interaction while the device is locked or the app is closed. This would aid habitual use of this feature.
Accessing the AI DJ controls is made quick and convenient by tapping on a new AI DJ icon button on the home screen playing module.
Hardware integration for remote control
Headphones with hardware controls such as AirPods and Bose wireless products are another place where AI DJ can be controlled.
For example, users can define a specific tap sequence to trigger actions like “Next Set."
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Hardware integration allows access to the AI DJ listening mode during phone-free activities such as exercising or commuting, enhancing usability for advanced users.
So, how else could Spotify improve AI DJ?
Maybe by integration in other experiences in the app? Occasion-based listening modes such as “DJ my party!"? Or, to present historical insights and fun facts about specific tracks and artists? I will be waiting to see!
🩷 Thanks for reading! This is a detailed project, drop me a line if you'd like to hear more about it.