The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence) Reinforcement Learning for Personalization at Spotify with Tony Jebara - #609
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Dec 29, 2022 Tony Jebara, VP of Engineering and Head of Machine Learning at Spotify, shares insights on how the platform evolves its personalization strategies through reinforcement learning. He explains the balance between immediate rewards and long-term user engagement, emphasizing the importance of Lifetime Value (LTV) in enhancing subscription retention. Jebara discusses innovative approaches in user behavior modeling, using coin and dice analogies to illustrate preferences. Learn how Spotify is transforming recommendations to create a richer user experience!
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Personalization's Impact
- Personalization drives Spotify's user acquisition and retention, according to 81% of premium users.
- Machine learning is crucial, especially as content grows, for connecting listeners with artists.
Shift to RL
- Spotify transitioned from multi-armed bandit techniques to reinforcement learning (RL) for personalization.
- RL allows for building user journeys over extended periods, unlike bandit's single-step focus.
Long-Term Value over Clicks
- Optimizing for immediate clicks can lead to user fatigue due to repetitive recommendations.
- Prioritize long-term user value over instant gratification for sustained engagement.