Spotify and the AI arms race
Oct 12, 2025 •
Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company.
He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion.
In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developing new technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time”.
The move comes months after Ek’s involvement in the global defence industry was revealed, prompting an artist backlash, with some pulling their music from the platform.
Today, we’re bringing you an episode we recorded in July with author and journalist Liz Pelly, which exposes Ek’s investments in AI-based military technology and Spotify’s embrace of AI in music.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Spotify and the AI arms race
1689 • Oct 12, 2025
Spotify and the AI arms race
Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company.
He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion.
In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developing new technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time”.
The move comes months after Ek’s involvement in the global defence industry was revealed, prompting an artist backlash, with some pulling their music from the platform.
Today, we’re bringing you an episode we recorded in July with author and journalist Liz Pelly, which exposes Ek’s investments in AI-based military technology and Spotify’s embrace of AI in music.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Author and journalist Liz Pelly
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Ruby Jones, Sarah McVeigh, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
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