How YouTube Music’s AI Hosts Challenge Spotify’s AI DJ

YouTube Music is testing a new feature that uses artificial intelligence to act as a radio host. The AI will provide commentary, stories, and trivia about the songs you are playing. This move directly competes with Spotify’s popular AI DJ feature.

The announcement was made in an official YouTube blog post. The feature is currently available for testing through the YouTube Labs program in the United States.

Expanding the AI Feature Set for Listeners

This new feature follows the recent “Ask for Music” tool released in March. That feature allows users to create custom radio stations using text prompts. The AI hosts represent the next step in creating a more dynamic listening experience.

According to the blog, the hosts will share interesting facts and details about your favorite tracks. The use of the word “hosts” suggests there could be multiple AI personalities available. This could differentiate it from Spotify’s single AI DJ, named Xavier “X” Jernigan.

The technology may be related to Google’s NotebookLM AI, which powers experimental podcast hosts. The feature is designed to make music streaming feel more personal and informative. It adds a human-like touch to algorithmically generated playlists.

Availability Through YouTube Labs Program

The AI host feature is part of the YouTube Labs initiative. This program lets users experiment with early-stage AI developments on the platform. It is similar to the well-known Google Labs for testing new products.

Access to this feature is free and does not require a YouTube Premium subscription. However, availability is currently limited to users in the United States. There is no official word on a global rollout timeline yet.

YouTube has been aggressively expanding its AI toolkit across its services. Recent months have seen new AI tools for YouTube Shorts creators and the global expansion of auto-dubbing. The introduction of AI hosts solidifies YouTube’s commitment to integrating AI across its ecosystem.

The launch of AI hosts marks a significant step in the streaming wars, pushing YouTube Music closer to creating a fully AI-curated listening experience that rivals its biggest competitors.

Dropping this nugget your way-

What exactly do the YouTube Music AI hosts do?

The AI hosts provide spoken commentary between songs. They share background information, artist trivia, and interesting facts about the tracks you are listening to, similar to a traditional radio DJ.

Is the YouTube Music AI host feature free to use?

Yes, the feature is currently free. It is part of the YouTube Labs program and does not require a YouTube Music Premium subscription to access and test.

How can I try the new AI host feature?

You need to be a YouTube Music user in the United States. Then, you can opt into the YouTube Labs program within the app to find and enable the experimental AI host feature.

How does this feature compare to Spotify’s AI DJ?

The concept is very similar, aiming to personalize music with AI commentary. A key difference may be that YouTube is hinting at multiple “hosts,” while Spotify uses one primary AI personality.

Will this feature be released worldwide?

YouTube has not announced a global release date. It is common for the company to test new features in select markets, like the US, before considering a wider international launch.