Spotify adds a Spanish-speaking AI DJ, 'Livi'

Spotify’s AI DJ feature, an AI guide that introduces personalized song selections, is now available in its first language outside of English. On Tuesday, Spotify announced the launch of an AI DJ that speaks Spanish, confirming TechCrunch’s earlier reports of the feature under development. Like the original AI DJ “X,” whose voice was based on an existing Spotify employee (Xavier “X” Jernigan), the Spanish-language voice is also based on a real person — in this case, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa, a senior music editor at Spotify who resides in Mexico City.

Spotify’s AI DJ, which was first launched last year, is meant to serve as a smart audio guide that introduces music using a convincingly realistic voice. For Spotify, the feature isn’t just a way for it to dabble around with new AI technology, it’s also a way to increase the consumption of music on its app. According to its internal data, DJ users listen to a lot of music, and the use of the feature has continued to grow with an increase of more than 200% over the last year.

The AI DJ itself is built using technologies from both OpenAI and Sonantic, an AI voice platform Spotify acquired in 2022. DJ X was initially picked to model his voice for the AI, which uses the same slang terms and expressions as Jernigan does, in addition to duping the sound of his voice.

Meanwhile, Roa was chosen to be the newest voice for the AI DJ feature after an extensive casting call, Spotify said, during which the company found that her voice resonated the most with listeners. Listeners said the voice sounded relatable and as if they were listening to music recommendations from a friend, the company noted. X will not be going away with “Livi’s” launch, but rather customers will be able to pick which AI DJ they prefer, according to Spotify.

“We have millions of Spanish-speaking listeners on Spotify, many of whom have been taking to social media to ask about DJ,” according to Spotify’s announcement. “In fact, over the last few months, we’ve seen an over 215% increase in social conversation around DJ in Spanish,” the company said.

In May, TechCrunch reported on the Spanish-speaking AI DJ feature, when new text referencing DJ “Livi” was added to the app’s code, alongside indications that the feature would become available in Mexico. However, Spotify’s announcement indicates “Livi” will become available to Premium listeners in markets where DJ X is already offered and other markets across Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

“Livi” is considered a “beta” test, for the time being.

To use “Livi,” Spotify Premium subscribers can access the feature from the Search tab on the app. From there, they must search for the term “DJ” and press play to begin using the DJ. To switch languages from an existing DJ, users must tap the three-dot menu within the DJ card, then pick between English and Spanish.