Spotify has just elevated its AI DJ feature to a more personal touch. In a move that aligns it more closely with smart assistants like Siri or Alexa, the streaming service has brought voice command support to its AI DJ. Users with Spotify Premium can now simply speak to control what they listen to.
The voice command feature allows users to freely use language to request genres, artists, moods, or even decades of music. So if you’re feeling upbeat pop music or 90s rock you can say it and the DJ will create the playlist for you.
How Voice Commands on Spotify Work
To use the new voice feature, users need to:
- Open the Spotify app
- Search for “DJ” and start playing
- Hold the microphone button in the bottom-right corner
- Speak their request (like “play something calm” or “switch to hip hop”)
The AI DJ, which launched in 2023, uses machine learning and generative AI to pick songs based on your past listening. With this update, the DJ can now respond in real-time using the AI-generated voice of Xavier “X” Jernigan, a Spotify executive and former podcast host.
Exclusive to Premium Users in English Only
For now, voice commands on Spotify are only available to Premium-tier subscribers. Spotify hasn’t confirmed whether it will extend this to free users in the future. Also, the voice command feature supports only English at launch, and it’s currently rolling out across 60+ countries, including the United States and Canada.
Users will need to make sure they have the latest version of the Spotify app to access this feature. While exact adoption numbers for the voice functionality haven’t been shared, Spotify reports that over 90% of Premium users who tried the AI DJ continue to use it.
Part of a Bigger Shift to Conversational Music Apps
Spotify’s upgrade reflects a broader trend across tech: making devices more interactive through conversational voice features. Smart assistants, cars, and mobile apps are increasingly moving toward hands-free control.
Though Spotify has offered limited voice search tools in the past, this is the first time users can directly speak to an AI to change what they’re listening to. That makes music discovery and playlist personalization more fluid, natural, and in the moment.
What’s Next for Spotify AI DJ?
While this is a major step forward, there are still limits. The voice feature only works within the DJ tool — you can’t yet use it for podcasts or browsing albums. Also, the voice still comes exclusively from Xavier Jernigan’s digital twin, keeping the experience consistent but limited in voice options.
Still, this update represents Spotify’s growing ambition in AI-powered user experiences. By blending machine learning with voice interaction, the company is setting the stage for even smarter music apps.
As Spotify continues rolling out the update worldwide, Premium users can expect a more personal, intuitive way to enjoy music — just by saying what they want.
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