Spotify’s New AI-Powered Audiobooks Will Remind You Where You Left Off.
If you’re anything like me, after putting off watching for a few days or weeks, you’ll return to the book or TV show, only to spend hours browsing the wiki, trying to catch up while trying to avoid spoilers. Spotify is doing its best to address at least one of these issues by testing AI summaries for some of its audiobooks.
This is the first new AI-powered feature in a long time that I’ve actually taken advantage of . Honestly, I’ve played several video games with similar features (though without AI), and it’s always such a valuable feature that I crave it in almost every piece of media I encounter.
Here’s how Spotify’s new feature works: first, you unfortunately need to use the Spotify iOS app, so listeners on Android, the web, or desktop won’t be able to use this feature, at least during this beta. Next, you’ll need to listen to a supported English-language audiobook for at least 15-20 minutes. After that, a “Synopsis” button will appear at the top of the page, which will quickly generate a one- to two-minute summary of the book. Spotify promises it won’t contain any spoilers for what happens next.
Previously in [your book]
Spotify compares this to previously aired segments in a TV show, though it notes that “the summaries do not duplicate the audio and in no way replace the original audiobook,” so don’t expect to hear actual excerpts from the book or an AI voice mimicking the narrator’s voice. However, just as previously aired segments on TV will change as new episodes air, your summaries will be “regularly updated based on your progress.”
Regarding potential issues with this feature, the company states that it “does not use audiobooks for LLM teaching or voice-over purposes” and that authors can opt out of adding synopses to their books . However, there are a few caveats, including the fact that the synopsis feature is a paid service.
On the other hand, it’s included inthe free audiobook listening hours you get with a Spotify Premium subscription , as well as any additional hours you may purchase. Otherwise, audiobooks on Spotify must be purchased one book at a time, so users without Spotify Premium and without audiobooks in their libraries (like me) can’t try AI Recaps before buying, meaning it may not yet be a compelling reason to switch audiobook platforms.
Not all books will receive synopses.
Spotify also doesn’t disclose which books have synopses available, so the button may not appear right away. While I like the idea in theory, I’m unlikely to be able to test it anytime soon. (I’ve already contacted Spotify to request an up-to-date list of books with synopses and will update this article once I hear back.)
Can hallucinations be present in Recaps?
Another potential problem with these reviews: hallucinations . Spotify didn’t mention accuracy at all in its statement, which I think suggests the company is confident there are no issues. However, the AI could still misrepresent some details of your story or accidentally insert a spoiler, regardless of what Spotify claims. Hopefully, the overview will refresh your memory and spot any inconsistencies, but it might still be worth taking a few notes while reading , just in case.
How to Get Summaries of Any Book Using AI (Without Spotify)
If you don’t listen to audiobooks on Spotify or simply haven’t had a chance to try the beta, here’s a hint: you can already request book summaries for free from other AI-powered chatbots. If you remember where you left off, simply contact your chosen chatbot and ask for a summary up to that point. Here’s a summary of the first chapters of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring .
I won’t deny that the in-app summary feature is very convenient, especially since you don’t have to pick up where you left off to avoid ruining, I don’t know, the Red Wedding or something. But if you’re like me (not a Spotify audiobook customer), at least you have options.