Spotify partners with Google to enhance podcast and audiobook recommendations using AI

In a significant move, Spotify has announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud to leverage large language models (LLMs) powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for tailoring podcast and audiobook recommendations based on user listening patterns.

The use of AI-powered LLMs, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Bard, is designed to analyse vast amounts of data, enabling the identification of individual user preferences and delivering personalised content recommendations. Google Cloud boasts a range of LLMs such as PaLM 2, Codey, Imagen, and Chirp, each trained on diverse data types, including text, codes, images, audio, and video.

Spotify, known for its early adoption of AI in music recommendation algorithms, is now extending this technology to enhance user experience in non-music content categories, such as podcasts and audiobooks.

The music streaming giant, headquartered in Sweden, is strategically looking to bolster its revenue streams by expanding into high-margin formats like podcasts and audiobooks. The company has previously committed to delivering substantial returns on its investment in these content categories.

Gustav Söderström, Spotify's Chief Product and Technology Officer, highlighted the evolution of their technology and emphasised Google Cloud's dedication to providing an optimal platform for running Spotify products. The partnership aims to further innovation by tapping into the emerging capabilities of generative AI.

With this enhanced collaboration, Spotify is not only focusing on personalised content recommendations but also exploring the use of LLMs to create a safer listening experience. This includes the identification and mitigation of potentially harmful content, showcasing the platform's commitment to user safety and content integrity.

As Spotify continues to explore the capabilities of AI and LLMs, users can anticipate a more tailored and secure listening experience across podcasts and audiobooks in the near future. The collaboration with Google Cloud marks a significant step in Spotify's journey to redefine user engagement beyond traditional music streaming.