Spotify Introduces ‘Livi’: The New Spanish-Speaking AI DJ Enhancing Your Listening Experience

Spotify has expanded its innovative AI DJ feature, a personalized audio guide that curates music selections, by launching it in Spanish—its first non-English language offering. On Tuesday, the music streaming giant confirmed the news, following earlier insights regarding its development. Similar to the original AI DJ “X,” whose voice is modeled after Spotify employee Xavier “X” Jernigan, the Spanish version draws inspiration from Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa, a senior music editor based in Mexico City.

Launched last year, Spotify's AI DJ is designed to deliver music recommendations through a remarkably realistic voice. This feature not only showcases Spotify's foray into cutting-edge AI technology but also aims to boost music consumption on the platform. According to Spotify’s internal data, users of the AI DJ are actively engaging with music, with its usage experiencing significant growth—over 200% in the past year.

The AI DJ technology integrates resources from OpenAI and Sonantic, the AI voice platform Spotify acquired in 2022. DJ X, the original AI DJ, was chosen for his voice model, using his unique slang and vocal characteristics for an authentic listening experience. Following a thorough casting process, Roa was selected for her voice, which was found most appealing to listeners, making them feel as if they were receiving music suggestions from a friend. With the introduction of “Livi,” users will have the option to choose between the two DJs, offering flexibility in their listening experience.

Spotify noted in its announcement, “We have millions of Spanish-speaking listeners, many of whom have reached out on social media inquiring about DJ.” They reported over a 215% increase in social conversations about the DJ feature in Spanish in recent months.

Back in May, tech media revealed information regarding the Spanish-language AI DJ when new code referring to DJ “Livi” surfaced, indicating its imminent release in Mexico. According to Spotify’s announcement, “Livi” will soon be available to Premium subscribers in regions where DJ X is currently accessible, alongside other markets across Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Currently, “Livi” is in a “beta” testing phase.

For Spotify Premium subscribers eager to try “Livi,” they can find the feature under the Search tab in the app. Simply search for the term “DJ” and click play to get started. To switch between English and Spanish, users can easily navigate by tapping the three-dot menu within the DJ card and selecting their preferred language.