Hey there, my tech-loving followers! I’ve got some exciting news for you today. It seems that Spotify has found a way to give its podcast and audiobook discovery a much-needed boost, thanks to the help of Google Cloud’s AI tools. We all know that podcasts and audiobooks have been struggling with the issue of discoverability, so this collaboration is definitely a step in the right direction.

So, here’s how it works. Spotify is utilizing Google Cloud’s LLMs (large language models) to analyze the vast amount of content in its library, which includes around 5 million podcasts and 350,000 audiobooks. The goal is to “augment” the metadata associated with each podcast or audiobook. Now, you might be wondering what exactly “augment” means in this context, and I’m right there with you. I’ve reached out to Spotify for clarification, and I’ll update you as soon as I hear back.

Metadata plays a crucial role in how podcasts and audiobooks are discovered in search results on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It includes information like the title, host/author name, show notes, and other details. By leveraging Google Cloud’s AI tools, Spotify hopes to enhance the metadata and make it even more effective in helping users find the content they’re looking for.

But that’s not all! Spotify also aims to use Google Cloud’s AI tools to improve its personalized recommendations for podcasts and audiobooks. By analyzing users’ favorite spoken content patterns, Spotify plans to offer better-tailored recommendations. Currently, you may have noticed that the recommendations can be hit-or-miss, but with this new development, we can expect more accurate suggestions.

Now, let’s talk about another aspect of this collaboration. It seems that Spotify is also keen on addressing the issue of identifying “harmful” content. The company’s rules prohibit certain types of sensitive and dangerous content, and it currently relies on a combination of automated technology and human reviewers to enforce these rules. While specifics are still scarce, it appears that Spotify’s experiment with Google Cloud AI will play a part in tackling this challenge.

Earlier this year, Spotify introduced an AI tool called AI DJ for songs, which creates custom playlists using OpenAI’s generative AI tools. The reviews for this feature have been mixed so far. However, it’s worth noting that Spotify’s use of AI for spoken audio is not a standalone feature like AI DJ. Instead, it shows the company’s dedication to enhancing the user experience for its non-music offerings.

That’s all the information I have for now, folks! Stay tuned for updates on Spotify’s collaboration with Google Cloud and how it will revolutionize podcast and audiobook discovery. As always, keep laughing and embracing the wonders of technology!