Snapchat has revealed a brand-new feature for Platinum members that is driven by AI. In essence, the recently added feature—AI-generated Lenses—are Augmented Reality (AR) filters that will be accessible within the app. Users will be able to take photos and videos with real-time augmented reality effects.
On Thursday, Snapchat unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that makes use of its own core video models. The new Lens format, called AI video Lenses, creates distinctive and captivating video effects by fusing generative AI features with Augmented Reality (AR). At the moment, only the platform’s premium subscription tier offers these functionalities. The startup intends to add new lenses every week, and users will initially see three new lenses. It’s noteworthy that these Lenses can be utilized similarly to the ones that already exist, and the videos that are produced with them can be shared on Spotlight and Stories or with friends.
According to Snapchat, the “in-house built generative video model” that powers the new AI Video Lenses is being used. Now that artificial intelligence has been added, the Lenses will appear much more lifelike.
In its blog, Snap stated: “These Lenses, powered by our in-house built generative video model, bring some of the most cutting-edge AI tools available today to Snapchatters through a familiar Lens format. We have a long history of being the first movers to bring advanced AR, ML, and AI tools directly to our community, and we’re excited to see what Snapchatters create.”
New feature on Snapchat: Everything we know
Three new AI-powered video filters—dubbed AI Video Lenses—that enhance films with interactive effects have been unveiled by Snapchat. Currently, users can experiment with two animal-themed filters, Fox and Raccoon, which make animated furry friends come to life and engage with the person in the video. With the help of the third filter, Spring Flowers, the camera slowly zooms out to produce the illusion that the person in the frame holding a large bouquet of flowers.
Snapchat Platinum subscribers can now access these new AI Video Lenses. They are included among other augmented reality (AR) effects in the app’s filter carousel. Snapchat lets users browse the app while their video is being processed in the background because AI-generated videos take some processing time.
Additional AI-powered video filters are being developed and will be released soon, according to Snapchat.
AI Video Lenses Are Coming to Snapchat
The social networking site described the new AI tool in a newsroom post. The company’s proprietary generative video model powers these AI Lenses. These models were initially introduced by the company last September at the Snap Partner Summit. A limited number of developers had access to the AI tools in beta at the time. The company is currently reaching a wider audience with the technologies. Snapchat Platinum subscribers will have access to these new AI video lenses. Platinum, the company’s most costly subscription tier, costs Rs. 99 per month. In addition to other exclusive benefits, the subscription provides an ad-free experience.
Regarding the AI video Lenses, Snapchat announced that three more are presently being introduced. These two, “Raccoon” and “Fox,” add the corresponding animals to a Snap, making them appear to be roaming around the user. In the third, “Spring Flowers,” the lens creates a zoom-out effect that shows the person in the frame holding a large bouquet of flowers. Although there are currently only three, the company stated that more lenses will be added in the days ahead.
These Lenses can be seen at the start of the Lens carousel for Snapchat Platinum subscribers. The names listed above can also be used to search them. Users will need to choose the lens and then take a picture using either the front-facing or rear-facing cameras to see the effect.
According to the company, customers will be able to use the platform and avoid waiting on the loading screen during the brief delay before the films are fully produced. The AI video will be immediately saved to Memories after the generation is finished. After that, these videos can be added to Stories and Spotlight or shared with friends.
As Snapchat points out, since Lenses is a format that consumers have been using for years, it makes sense for the company to introduce generative AI.
Snap is now developing its own internal models, even though it previously used OpenAI and Google’s AI tools to power some of its services.
In order to power some of Snapchat’s features in the upcoming months, the company last month released an AI text-to-image research model for mobile devices. At the time, Snap said that it will be able to provide its community with superior AI tools at a reduced operational cost by integrating in-house technologies.