Amazon Music Introduces AI Playlist Creator

Amazon Music's new AI feature, Maestro, allows subscribers to generate personalized playlists using simple text and emoji prompts, currently available in a limited beta in the US.

Amazon Music is experimenting with a new feature called Maestro, an AI-driven tool that allows listeners to generate playlists based on text prompts. Currently in beta, Maestro is accessible to a select group of subscribers in the US. This tool allows users to input prompts of various natures, ranging from emotive emoji combinations to quirky or nostalgic phrases. These prompts can be “😭 and eating 🍝” or “Music my grandparents made out to.”

Maestro functions similarly to Spotify’s recently introduced AI Playlist feature, which is available to Premium users in the UK and Australia. Both services cater to the growing demand for personalized music experiences, allowing users to create playlists through simple text commands.

Accessible exclusively through the Amazon Music app, Maestro appears on the home screen or can be found by tapping the plus sign to initiate a new playlist. Users can then enter their chosen prompts by typing or speaking them into the app, after which Maestro curates a playlist reflecting the inputted theme.

The service’s usability varies based on the user's subscription type. For instance, Prime Music subscribers and users of the ad-supported free version are offered a 30-second preview of the generated playlist, after which they can opt to save it for later listening. Meanwhile, Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers enjoy the immediate benefit of listening to and saving full playlists.

While Maestro promises an innovative approach to music curation, Amazon acknowledges that the AI might not perfect its recommendations on the first try, citing the novelty of the technology. To maintain a respectful and enjoyable user experience, Amazon has implemented safeguards against offensive content and inappropriate prompts.

Amazon seems to be committed to integrating advanced technology to enhance user interaction and satisfaction, with this new feature in music and other AI incorporation across its various platforms, including the introduction of a new chatbot named Rufus for retail customers. As Maestro undergoes further testing and receives user feedback, Amazon plans to refine and potentially expand the availability of this creative tool.