Spotify’s annual Wrapped release, which provides users with personalized music metrics, was met with widespread disappointment this year. The service promised a fresh and exciting experience, but instead, listeners felt that it leaned too heavily on AI, lacking the detailed data that users have come to expect.
Instead of providing top music genres or albums, Spotify offered a “Music Evolution” list featuring creatively titled micro-genres that were not used outside of the platform. These labels quickly became memes, with some internet commentators even creating their own versions. However, it was unclear which ones were created by Spotify and which ones were made up.
Several users blamed the lackluster presentation on an over-reliance on AI and mass layoffs at Spotify. Some suspected that AI had hallucinated some of the data, leading to wonky metrics. The use of AI was also criticized for its inability to replicate human personality in podcasts, with one AI-generated podcast being described as a “soul-destroying experience.”
Despite the disappointment, some users found humor in the situation and created memes about Spotify Wrapped 2024. However, the overall sentiment on social media platforms like TikTok, X (Twitter), and Reddit was overwhelmingly negative.
The trend of relying on AI in creative industries is becoming increasingly apparent, with Spotify being the latest to feel the impact. As one viral post put it, “the year of slop” has begun, with consumers growing tired of AI-generated ads and content that lacks human touch.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2024/12/05/spotify-wrapped-2024-backlash-controversy-and-memes