# DJ X

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**DJ X** is an [artificial intelligence](/source/Artificial_intelligence) [disc jockey](/source/Disc_jockey) developed by [Spotify](/source/Spotify) and launched in February 2023 as part of its [Premium subscription service](/source/Subscription_business_model). The feature combines [personalization algorithms](/source/Recommender_system), [generative AI](/source/Generative_AI), and [synthetic voice technology](/source/Speech_synthesis) to deliver playlists accompanied by commentary. The English-language voice of DJ X is modeled on Spotify's head of cultural partnerships, Xavier "X" Jernigan. In July 2024, Spotify introduced a Spanish-speaking counterpart, DJ Livi, voiced by Olivia Quiroz Roa.

## Development and features

Spotify acquired the AI voice platform Sonantic in 2022 and integrated its [text-to-speech technology](/source/Speech_synthesis) with [generative AI](/source/Generative_AI) from [OpenAI](/source/OpenAI) to build DJ X.[1][2] Jernigan's voice was trained using nearly 300 episodes of his podcast *The Get Up*, alongside curated recordings to capture his speech patterns, pitch, pacing, and inflections. Spotify's editorial team contributed scripts and phrases to ensure the AI could reproduce his vocabulary and conversational style.[2] Weekly updates are coordinated by Jernigan and a global team of writers, music experts, and data curators.[2]

DJ X plays sets of songs based on user listening history, including liked tracks, recent plays, and recommendations.[3][4] The AI provides commentary between tracks, introducing themes, [genres](/source/Genres), or contextual notes.[1][5] At launch, DJ X was non-interactive, with users limited to skipping songs or reshuffling playlists.[3] In May 2025, Spotify added voice request functionality, allowing [Premium users](/source/Subscription_business_model) in over 60 markets to request songs by genre, mood, artist, or activity.[6][7] In October 2025, text-based requests were introduced, expanding interactivity to both English and Spanish DJs.[8] The feature also offers personalized prompt suggestions.[8]

## Expansion

DJ X launched in the [United States](/source/United_States) and [Canada](/source/Canada) on February 22, 2023.[2][1] It expanded globally in August 2023 and by 2024 was available in 68 markets, including [Australia](/source/Australia), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), and regions across [Europe](/source/Europe), [Asia](/source/Asia), [Latin America](/source/Latin_America), and [Africa](/source/Africa).[2] In July 2024, Spotify introduced DJ Livi, a Spanish-speaking AI DJ voiced by Olivia Quiroz Roa, available in multiple [Latin American countries](/source/Latin_American_countries).[9] Spotify reported that DJ usage increased by more than 200% year-over-year and that social conversations about DJ in Spanish rose by 215%.[9]

## Reception

Rachel Kane of *[CNET](/source/CNET)* described DJ X as a tool that helps listeners identify musical preferences, noting its reliance on personalization algorithms and generative AI.[3] Kane emphasized that DJ X's voice is modeled on Xavier Jernigan and highlighted its commentary on genre shifts and artist introductions.[3] Cheyenne DeVon of [CNBC](/source/CNBC) reported that Jernigan's voice was digitized to provide storytelling and context, and noted his weekly team meetings ensured the AI remained current with cultural trends.[2]

Chloe Veltman of [NPR](/source/NPR) stated that DJ X builds on Spotify's personalization history and uses commentary to encourage longer listening sessions.[10] Ziad Sultan, Spotify's vice president of personalization, described DJ X as "your personalized DJ just for you".[10] Veltman reported that Spotify's internal data suggested contextual commentary reduced skipping, though critics such as Joe Inzerillo of [SiriusXM](/source/SiriusXM) questioned the necessity of the feature.[10] Kelefa Sanneh of *[The New Yorker](/source/The_New_Yorker)* found some commentary distracting, while [DJ Umami](/source/DJ_Umami) praised its shuffle and discovery functions.[10]

Elena Cavender of *[Mashable](/source/Mashable)* noted that DJ X cycles through themed collections of songs balancing familiar and new music, with commentary curated by Spotify's editorial team.[4] Cavender criticized the commentary as simplistic and noted its resurfacing of past songs.[4] Boone Ashworth of *[WIRED](/source/Wired_(magazine))* described DJ X's voice as realistic but lacking warmth, calling the experience "eerily lonely" and raising concerns about Spotify's data collection.[1]

Vee Fidati of *Trill* reviewed DJ X as a skeptic and former DJ, praising its variety, song blocks, and fade transitions, but criticizing shallow commentary and reliance on "On Repeat" selections.[5] Fidati noted that DJ X cannot replicate human [anecdotes](/source/Anecdotes) or preferences and expressed skepticism about Spotify's broader AI direction, citing artist protests over CEO [Daniel Ek](/source/Daniel_Ek)'s investments in AI military technology.[5] Allison Johnson of *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)* argued that Spotify's AI DJ is "no match for a real DJ", comparing it unfavorably to radio DJs at [KEXP](/source/KEXP) who provide deeper cultural context.[11]

## See also

- [Spotify](/source/Spotify)
- [Artificial intelligence in music](/source/Artificial_intelligence_in_music)

## References

### Citations

1. Ashworth 2023.

1. DeVon 2024.

1. Kane 2025.

1. Cavender 2023.

1. Fidati 2025.

1. Roberts 2025.

1. Mehta 2025.

1. Perez 2025.

1. Perez 2024.

1. Veltman 2024.

1. Johnson 2024.

### Bibliography

- Kane, Rachel (2025-01-10). ["How to Use Spotify's AI DJ"](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-use-spotifys-ai-dj/). *[CNET](/source/CNET)*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- DeVon, Cheyenne (2024-07-27). ["Meet 'X,' the human voice behind Spotify's AI DJ: 'It's a digitized version of me'"](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/27/how-xavier-jernigan-became-the-voice-of-spotifys-ai-dj.html). *CNBC*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Veltman, Chloe (2024-11-14). ["Will Spotify's AI DJ make you listen longer?"](https://www.npr.org/2024/11/13/nx-s1-5184493/spotify-ai-dj-music). *[NPR](/source/NPR)*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Cavender, Elena (2023-03-01). ["How to get the Spotify AI DJ"](https://mashable.com/article/spotify-ai-dj). *[Mashable](/source/Mashable)*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Roberts, Rachel (2025-05-14). ["Spotify's AI DJ now takes requests"](https://musictech.com/news/music/spotify-ai-dj-update-voice-requests/). *MusicTech*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Perez, Sarah (2025-10-15). ["You can now text Spotify's AI DJ"](https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/15/you-can-now-text-spotifys-ai-dj/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Perez, Sarah (2024-07-17). ["Spotify adds a Spanish-speaking AI DJ, 'Livi'"](https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/17/spotify-adds-a-spanish-speaking-ai-dj-livi/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Mehta, Ivan (2025-05-13). ["Spotify's AI DJ now lets you use voice commands to personalize your tunes"](https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/13/spotifys-ai-dj-now-lets-you-use-voice-commands-to-personalize-your-tunes/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Ashworth, Boone (2023-02-25). ["Spotify's AI DJ Has No Soul"](https://www.wired.com/story/spotify-ai-dj/). *[WIRED](/source/WIRED)*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Fidati, Vee (2025-08-14). ["I Tried Spotify's AI DJ Feature As a Skeptic and an Ex-DJ. Here's What I Thought."](https://www.trillmag.com/entertainment/music/i-tried-spotifys-ai-dj-feature-as-a-skeptic-and-a-real-ex-dj/). *Trill*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- Johnson, Allison (2024-11-10). ["Spotify's AI is no match for a real DJ"](https://www.theverge.com/24290914/spotify-ai-dj-radio-kexp). *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DJ X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_X) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_X?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.