Amazon Music is jumping into the AI-powered playlist game with its own feature called Maestro. This comes just after Spotify’s similar launch earlier in April.
Maestro allows users in the US (initially on a beta basis) to create playlists using spoken or written prompts. These prompts can be as simple or elaborate as you like, including emojis, activities, moods, or even specific genres. Feeling stressed? Ask Maestro for a “relaxing evening unwind playlist.” Want to get pumped for your workout? Try a “high-energy workout jams” prompt.
If inspiration strikes short, Maestro offers on-screen suggestions to jumpstart your creativity. Once you’ve entered your prompt, Maestro takes just seconds to generate a playlist tailored to your request. You can then save the playlist for later listening or share it with friends.
It’s important to note that while Maestro is available to all Amazon Music subscription tiers during the beta, only Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can enjoy uninterrupted playback of the generated playlists. Free-tier users and users on lower tiers will get 30-second previews before needing to upgrade to save and play the full songs.
This launch reflects the growing trend of music streaming services using AI to personalize the listening experience. With Maestro, Amazon Music hopes to compete with Spotify and attract users who enjoy the convenience and surprise element of AI-generated playlists.
However, as with any new technology, Maestro is still under development, and Amazon acknowledges it “won’t always get it right the first time.” User feedback will be crucial in shaping the future of Maestro and improving its ability to curate playlists that truly match user preferences.
