Amazon Music Launches AI-Powered 'Topics' for Podcast Episode Browsing

Amazon Music has announced a new AI-driven feature called "Topics," which allows users to explore podcast episodes by specific topics discussed within them. This innovative tool aims to enhance the podcast listening experience by providing easier access to content based on user interests.

How 'Topics' Works

When users visit a podcast episode page, they will now see new Topic tags displayed below the episode description. By tapping on a tag, users can view a list of related podcast episodes covering the same topic. This makes it easier to discover podcasts on specific subjects such as "Coffee" and "Dopamine," in addition to broader categories like Comedy and News.

AI and Human Collaboration

Amazon explained that the "Topics" feature is powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and also relies on human labor. The AI component analyzes podcast transcripts and descriptions to identify key topics. Then, human team members review and determine the relevant tags to add to each episode page, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

Availability and Expansion

The feature is now available to all Amazon Music users in the U.S. on iOS and Android devices. It will initially roll out across top podcasts on Amazon Music, including popular shows like The Daily, SmartLess, and This American Life. Amazon plans to expand the coverage of Topics to more podcast content, aiming to offer a wider range of topics and a more comprehensive list of related episodes.

Introducing Maestro

In addition to "Topics," Amazon Music is launching another AI-powered feature called Maestro. This AI playlist generator creates playlists based on user prompts and has been in beta since April. These new AI features follow Amazon’s acquisition of audio content discovery engine Snackable AI last year, which was intended to enhance podcasting capabilities and user experience.

Enhancing Podcast Discovery

Amazon Music's new AI-driven tools aim to make podcast discovery more intuitive and personalized. By leveraging AI and human collaboration, Amazon is striving to provide users with more relevant and engaging podcast content, enhancing the overall listening experience.