Along with its earlier AI DJ and AI Playlist options, Spotify additionally added an AI Podcast constructed with Google’s NotebookLM.
“With this customized Audio Overview, you may dive deeper into your prime songs, artists, and genres—all delivered by two dynamic AI podcast hosts,” per its website.
The Spotify Wrapped criticism can be rooted within the concern that AI is changing artistic jobs.
In 2023, the music streamer confronted a number of rounds of layoffs. On the finish of final 12 months, it cut 17% of its workforce, or greater than 1,500 staff, partly as a consequence of “slowing financial development and costly capital.”
“…We nonetheless have too many individuals devoted to supporting work and even doing work across the work reasonably than contributing to alternatives with actual affect,” CEO Daniel Ek wrote in a company email on the time. “Extra folks should be targeted on delivering for our key stakeholders–creators and shoppers.”
Whereas the corporate has not responded to the Wrapped backlash, customers have been quick to correlate the previous job cuts with its new AI options.
Rage in opposition to the machine
The backlash in opposition to Spotify comes at a time when shoppers are more and more criticizing manufacturers for utilizing generative AI of their advertising campaigns.
Coca-Cola just lately faced scrutiny for using AI to reimagine its classic “Holidays Are Coming” ad, launched final month. On the time, many artists and artistic professionals expressed issues about artistic jobs being changed by the expertise.
Forbes additionally pointed out inconsistencies within the advert, saying a few of its particulars are “off,” like the dimensions of the folks, and Christmas lights and buildings possessing “nonsensical shapes and patterns.”
