The Technology Behind It
The “Topics” feature is powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), but it’s not solely driven by AI. The system analyzes podcast transcripts and descriptions to pinpoint key topics, and then human team members refine and apply the most relevant tags. This combination of AI and human oversight ensures that the tags are both accurate and useful.
Currently, this feature is available for all Amazon Music users in the U.S., accessible on both iOS and Android devices. You’ll find it on popular podcasts like *The Daily*, *SmartLess*, and *This American Life*, with plans to expand its coverage to include more shows and topics.
Maestro: Another AI Enhancement
Alongside Topics, Amazon Music is introducing Maestro, an AI-powered playlist generator. Maestro creates custom playlists based on user prompts, adding another layer of personalization to the streaming experience. Launched in beta in April, this feature highlights Amazon’s commitment to enhancing audio content discovery.
My Perspective
Amazon Music’s new AI features represent a significant step forward in podcast discovery and personalization. By allowing users to browse episodes by topic, Amazon is addressing a common pain point for podcast listeners: finding relevant content. The integration of AI with human input is a smart approach, ensuring both accuracy and relevance. With additional features like Maestro enhancing user experience, Amazon Music is setting a new standard for how we interact with audio content.
Amazon Music has just launched a groundbreaking AI feature called “Topics,” designed to make finding podcast episodes easier and more intuitive. This new addition allows users to explore episodes based on specific topics discussed, providing a more targeted and relevant listening experience.
How It Works
When you check out a podcast episode on Amazon Music, you’ll now see Topic tags listed below the episode description. These tags cover a variety of subjects, from “Coffee” to “Dopamine,” expanding beyond the usual categories like Comedy and News. By tapping on these tags, you can quickly discover related episodes on the same topic, helping you dive deeper into subjects that interest you.