Spotify patents eerie ‘mood-detecting tech’ to recommend you songs
The proposed system analyzes speech to work out how you feel
Don’t worry, be happy?
Spotify has always stressed that it recommends a diverse range of music — because there are only so many times you can listen to the Black Eyed Peas before you go van Gogh on your ears. One, to be precise.
Still, the idea of determining music tastes based on demographic data sounds rather restrictive.
Just because I’m a 35-year-old male from the UK, it doesn’t mean I like Norah Jones. Maybe I wanna get down with the kidz and put on some K-pop? I absolutely don’t, but you get what I mean.
The mood-based recommendations sound more promising — but also more disturbing.
If I’m wallowing in self-pity, would Spotify recommend some Morrissey to push me deeper into the darkness, orWalking on Sunshineto drag me out of my hole? Either way, I wouldn’t wanna rely on algorithms for psychological support.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
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