Technology

Frustrated with algorithmic playlists that miss the mark? Deezer is offering a solution, giving users unprecedented control over their listening experience and taking a firm stance against AI-generated music. The French streaming service is rolling out an upgrade to its Flow Tuner feature, allowing subscribers to actively shape their personalized playlists by banning specific genres and, notably, excluding AI-created tracks altogether.

For many music lovers, the promise of algorithmic curation has fallen flat, often resulting in jarring juxtapositions of artists and styles. The ability to fine-tune these recommendations is a welcome change. Deezer’s move comes as users increasingly express dissatisfaction with the direction of algorithmic playlists on other platforms, like Spotify, where unexpected genre inclusions can disrupt the listening experience. This new level of customization aims to address those concerns and set the power back in the hands of the listener.

The upgraded Flow Tuner allows users to deactivate genres or subgenres they don’t want to hear, effectively forbidding the algorithm from adding them to their personalized Flow playlist. Genres can too be reactivated at any time, offering flexibility as tastes evolve. Users can even introduce new genres to the mix, expanding their musical horizons. The changes are reflected immediately, providing instant feedback and control. Deezer positions this as a significant step beyond the limited control offered by competitors.

More Control Than the Competition

Other streaming services offer some degree of algorithmic control, but Deezer’s approach appears more granular. Apple Music allows users to “thumbs down” songs, though the impact of this feedback remains unclear. Spotify allows users to exclude songs from their “taste profile,” but this feature seems limited to removing individual tracks from “Made For You” playlists. Deezer’s Flow Tuner, by contrast, provides a broader, more proactive way to manage the algorithmic curation process.

Deezer’s commitment to user control extends to a notable ban on AI-generated music. The company’s tools automatically exclude these tracks from Flow Tuner playlists, responding to growing concerns about the proliferation of “AI slop” – low-quality, algorithmically created music flooding streaming platforms. This decision positions Deezer as a champion of human artistry and a curator of genuine musical experiences.

Deezer Ranks High for Features

This upgrade builds on Deezer’s existing strengths. The company is already recognized for its robust feature set, including quizzes, collaborative playlist building tools, and music recognition capabilities not found on rival platforms. Deezer has consistently focused on providing a more engaging and personalized experience for its users. According to recent data, female artists accounted for 26% of listening time on the platform in September 2025, highlighting a commitment to diversity and representation.

Using the feature is straightforward: when creating a Flow playlist, the app prompts users to select the genres they want to include or exclude. The tool offers a wide range of subgenres, allowing for precise customization. The changes are implemented instantly, providing a seamless and responsive experience.

What’s Next for Algorithmic Control?

Deezer’s move signals a growing demand for greater control over algorithmic curation. As streaming services become increasingly reliant on algorithms to drive discovery, users are seeking ways to personalize their listening experience and avoid unwanted recommendations. The company’s decision to ban AI-generated tracks also reflects a broader debate about the role of artificial intelligence in the music industry and the importance of supporting human artists. It remains to be seen whether other streaming services will follow suit, but Deezer’s upgrade sets a new standard for algorithmic control and user empowerment.

What are your thoughts on algorithmic playlists? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below. And if you found this article informative, please share it with your fellow music lovers!

For decades, venture capital firms largely avoided sectors like defense, energy, manufacturing and heavy industry, deeming them too complex, too heavily regulated, and too slow to generate the rapid returns favored by the VC model. But a significant shift is underway. Investors are increasingly pouring capital into these “hard” sectors, driven by geopolitical pressures, technological advancements, and a reassessment of long-term value. This change signals a fundamental recalibration of what’s considered investable, potentially unlocking a modern wave of innovation in foundational industries.

The perception of these industries as unviable for venture backing stemmed from lengthy procurement cycles, stringent regulations, and the dominance of established players. However, recent trends suggest Here’s changing. Government technology spending more than doubled between 2021 and 2025, and investment in defense technology more than doubled in 2025 alone, indicating a growing appetite for innovation in these areas. This influx of capital is fueled by a recognition that these sectors are ripe for disruption, particularly with the advent of new technologies.

The Rise of AI and the Changing Investment Landscape

Artificial intelligence is arguably the biggest catalyst for this shift. By lowering the cost of building sophisticated software and accelerating development cycles, AI allows startups to compete with incumbents in sectors previously considered impenetrable. As software becomes more easily replicated, competitive advantage is shifting towards operational expertise, user experience, and seamless integration with existing systems. This is particularly true in industries like construction, mining, and logistics, where AI-powered solutions can deliver immediate performance gains.

Historically, the barriers to entry in these sectors were substantial. Public procurement processes can take years, constrained by budgetary cycles and regulatory frameworks. Energy projects face complex permitting structures, and infrastructure deployments require extensive certification. However, these very challenges are now being viewed as potential advantages. Regulation, once seen as a deterrent, is increasingly understood as a “moat,” protecting startups that successfully navigate the compliance landscape from new entrants.

Macroeconomic Factors and Geopolitical Pressures

Beyond technological advancements, broader macroeconomic and geopolitical forces are driving investment into these sectors. Supply chain disruptions, energy insecurity, and infrastructure fragility have elevated industrial resilience to a national priority. Governments are investing heavily in grid modernization, logistics networks, and critical infrastructure, creating a structurally supportive environment for startups offering innovative solutions. This is coupled with increasing pressure on public institutions to digitize procurement, compliance, and workflow systems, further expanding the market opportunity.

The saturation of the horizontal SaaS market is likewise playing a role. Investors, seeking differentiated returns, are looking beyond crowded software categories threatened by the rapid innovation of companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Regulated and infrastructure-heavy sectors offer less competition, stronger pricing power, and significantly larger total addressable markets (TAMs). Companies like SAP, Caterpillar, and Siemens, with market capitalizations in the billions, demonstrate the potential scale of these opportunities.

Founders with Domain Expertise Lead the Charge

A key factor in this shift is the emergence of founders with deep industry expertise. Many startups in defense, energy, healthcare, and government procurement are led by individuals who come directly from these sectors, possessing unique insights into their challenges and opportunities. Unlike legacy players burdened by established workflows and organizational inertia, these founders are able to innovate with speed and agility.

Even established companies are recognizing the need to adapt. Salesforce, for example, is increasingly relying on acquisitions to stay competitive, highlighting the difficulty for incumbents to preserve pace with the rapid innovation occurring in these sectors. This demonstrates that the cost of switching away from legacy solutions is decreasing, making it easier for startups to gain market share.

As investor playbooks evolve, we can expect to see more $100 billion companies emerge from this cycle. The focus is no longer solely on building better software, but on rebuilding the foundational sectors of the global economy. This represents a significant opportunity for startups to disrupt established industries and drive innovation on a massive scale.

The coming years will likely see continued investment in these traditionally “uninvestable” sectors, as investors recognize the potential for both financial returns and positive societal impact. The convergence of AI, geopolitical pressures, and a new generation of industry-focused founders is creating a fertile ground for innovation and disruption.

What are your thoughts on the changing investment landscape? Share your insights in the comments below.