Spotify Faces Backlash for AI-Generated Wrapped Features

In addition to its previous AI DJ and AI Playlist features, Spotify also added an AI Podcast built with Google’s NotebookLM.

“With this personalized Audio Overview, you can dive deeper into your top songs, artists, and genres—all delivered by two dynamic AI podcast hosts,” per its site.

The Spotify Wrapped criticism is also rooted in the fear that AI is replacing creative jobs.

In 2023, the music streamer faced several rounds of layoffs. At the end of last year, it cut 17% of its workforce, or more than 1,500 employees, partly due to “slowing economic growth and expensive capital.”

“…We still have too many people dedicated to supporting work and even doing work around the work rather than contributing to opportunities with real impact,” CEO Daniel Ek wrote in a company email at the time. “More people need to be focused on delivering for our key stakeholders–creators and consumers.” 

While the company has not responded to the Wrapped backlash, users were quick to correlate the past job cuts with its new AI features.

Rage against the machine

The backlash against Spotify comes at a time when consumers are increasingly criticizing brands for using generative AI in their marketing campaigns.

Coca-Cola recently faced scrutiny for using AI to reimagine its classic “Holidays Are Coming” ad, released last month. At the time, many artists and creative professionals expressed concerns about creative jobs being replaced by the technology. 

Forbes also pointed out inconsistencies in the ad, saying some of its details are “off,” like the size of the people, and Christmas lights and buildings possessing “nonsensical shapes and patterns.”