Spotify's Shift Away from Human-Curated Playlists: The Impact of Automation and AI on Music

For music lovers, Spotify's human-curated playlists have been a goldmine for exploring new songs. From genre-specific gems to mood-setting mixes, the humans behind Spotify’s playlists have introduced listeners to new favorites and reignited a love for oldies. But there is a new shift happening in the music industry — Spotify, like many music streaming platforms, is increasingly leaning on algorithmic or AI-driven playlist generation. This, in turn, raises the question: when removing the human aspect of music curation, how will this impact new song discovery?

A History of Playlist Curation

A few years ago, curating popular Spotify playlists could propel a musical artist or influencer to mainstream success almost overnight. Playlists like RapCaviar became cultural phenomena, with the power to launch careers and shape musical, and even television, trends. However, as technology advances and consumer preferences evolve, the dominance of curated playlists is beginning to dissipate.

The rise of algorithm-driven platforms like TikTok has influenced Spotify's strategy, prompting a shift towards more personalized AI recommendations tailored to individual users. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged this trend, noting the increasing preference for algorithmic suggestions among users. As a result, Spotify began implementing changes to its playlist curation process, emphasizing data-driven decisions over the subjective taste of individual curators. Over time, Spotify also introduced features like an artificial intelligence disc jockey (AI DJ) and Daylist, further promoting algorithm-driven listening experiences.

Spotify’s Shift from Human to AI in Playlist Curation

Spotify maintains that human-curated and editorial playlists remain critical to the platform's user experience, emphasizing the diverse tastes of its growing audience. Global head of editorial, Sulinna Ong, reaffirms Spotify's commitment to supporting artists and fostering music discovery through curated playlists. But while Spotify insists that human expertise still guides its AI DJ feature, the noticeable change from human to AI playlist curators suggests a broader shift toward automation. This transition has not gone unnoticed, with industry insiders observing a decline in the influence of curated playlists. Major music labels report significant drops in streams from flagship playlists like RapCaviar and Dance Hits, signaling a shift in how listeners engage with Spotify's curated content.

Despite assurances from Spotify, the trend towards automation shows no signs of slowing down. Internal presentations reveal plans to leverage data more effectively in playlist curation, further blurring the line between human and algorithmic selection. Some human-curated playlists have already transitioned to personalized versions, reflecting Spotify's ongoing commitment to algorithm-driven music discovery.

One controversial initiative is Discovery Mode, which allows labels and artists to submit songs for additional algorithmic promotion in exchange for lower royalty rates. While Spotify insists that Discovery Mode only impacts personalized listening sessions, critics argue that it prioritizes algorithmic recommendations over curated playlists. However, proponents of automation argue that it democratizes music promotion, giving more artists a chance to reach their audience.

The Impact of AI and Automation on the Future of Playlist Curation

Spotify's shift away from human-curated playlists towards automation reflects broader trends in music consumption and technology. While some lament the decline of the influence of curated playlists, others see automation as an opportunity to democratize music discovery. As the industry continues to evolve, the balance between human curation and algorithmic recommendation will shape the future of music streaming and how we listen to and discover new music.

Education in AI and Machine Learning

Capitol Technology University’s industry-focused degree programs foster education in leading STEM areas of global impact, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. We're committed to developing the next generation of professionals who will champion the use of data and algorithms across all industries, including the music industry. Visit our website to discover our offerings in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science or contact our Admissions team at admissions@captechu.edu.