Apple Music, YouTube launch AI playlist tools

YouTube Music recently rolled out its AI Playlist feature for Premium subscribers in the U.S. and select international markets. The tool enables users to create playlists based on mood, genre, ideas, release periods, or similar-sounding tracks. Users can also make on-the-fly adjustments after the playlist is generated, with pre-written prompts available to guide selections.

“To generate a playlist, navigate to Library on mobile, tap ‘new,’ and select the AI option,” the platform explained. While some subscribers initially experience difficulty accessing the feature, app updates or revisiting the Library section appear to resolve the issue.

Apple Music’s counterpart, currently in beta and dubbed “Playlist Playground,” offers a similar functionality. Details regarding a full-scale launch remain unclear.

The initiatives reflect broader industry efforts to leverage artificial intelligence for music discovery. YouTube Music has coupled its AI tools with subscriber-focused enhancements, such as exclusive lyrics access, offline playback, and free playlist-transfer options, aiming to convert casual listeners into paid subscribers.

Industry analysts note that streaming services face strong competition and that AI-generated playlists could play a key role in differentiating offerings. However, platforms must also address growing user concerns over low-quality or irrelevant AI-generated content. Deezer has implemented detection and labelling for AI uploads, while Spotify has announced plans for an AI-audio review system.

The rollout of AI playlist features by major platforms indicates a growing emphasis on personalisation and user control in streaming. How these tools will impact subscription growth and user satisfaction remains to be seen.