Spotify Says Its Best Developers Haven't Written a Line of Code Since December, Thanks To AI

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by msmash

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Spotify’s top developers have stopped writing code manually since December 2023, relying instead on an internal AI system called Honk for real-time code deployment. This shift has enabled engineers to fix bugs or add features remotely during their morning commutes, even from platforms like Slack on their phones. The Honk system, integrated with Claude Code, allows for seamless updates, resulting in Spotify releasing over 50 new features in 2024, including AI-powered tools like Prompted Playlists and About This Song. Co-CEO Gustav Soderstrom highlighted the system’s impact on accelerating coding and deployment, calling it a significant step forward in AI development at Spotify. The Honk system has streamlined the software development process by enabling remote fixes and feature additions without requiring manual code writing. Engineers can address issues or enhance the iOS app during their daily routines, with updates pushed directly to Slack before they reach the office. This real-time deployment capability has significantly boosted efficiency, allowing Spotify to roll out features at an unprecedented pace. Examples include Page Match for audiobooks, which provides context about where a book’s chapter ends, and workout playlists tailored to different regional music preferences. Spotify is also leveraging its unique music dataset, which differs from traditional factual resources like Wikipedia by acknowledging the subjective nature of music-related questions. For instance, workout music preferences vary widely across genres, such as American hip-hop

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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/14/2026