Snapchat has this week released its latest AI-powered feature that allows users to create and send AI-generated images from a text prompt.
Available for Snapchat+ subscribers only, the feature follows in the AI footsteps of the company’s Dreams feature – a tool that lets users create AI images for their chat wallpapers and bitmoji backgrounds.
Not prepared to fall behind in the AI innovation game, Snapchat’s release comes just days after Meta AI announced its text-prompt image generator, Imagine.
How Does the New Snapchat AI Feature Work?
In a blog post shared this week, Snapchat explained exactly how the new feature works.
To start creating, subscribers must tap the ‘AI’ button on their right-hand menu. The feature will open with prompt examples – such as ‘a raccoon driving a motorcycle' – which users are free to play with, as well a space to type in their own creations.
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The generator will get to work and then deliver the image. Users will be given the option to edit, download, or share with their friends.
As well as the image generator, Snapchat has also released an AI-powered extension tool. For photos that are zoomed in too close, users can tap on the ‘crop’ button, then the ‘extend’ option and AI will get to work filling in the external area to provide a broader, fuller picture.
There’s currently no word on which AI model is behind the new features, but Snapchat has made it clear that the experience is “privacy centric”.
Other Snapchat AI Features
This isn’t Snapchat’s first foray into AI, with its Dreams generative-AI selfie feature having been available since August.
With it, the instant messaging app encourages users to ‘try on new personas powered by AI’. This means transforming normal selfies into fantastical creations set in various scenarios, such as a deep-sea mermaid or renaissance-era royal.
Users can create up to eight AI-generated selfies, with more available following an in-app purchase.
Similarly, Snapchat announced an expansion of its My AI feature back in April. My AI is an in-app AI-powered chatbot for users to ask questions and seek responses with, much like ChatGPT or Bard.
My AI is currently being used by over 750 million Snapchatters a month, with over 10 billion messages having been sent with it.
Snapchat Going All In on AI
The launch of its AI-image generator, in addition to the existing AI features, highlights Snapchat’s intent on going full-throttle with its artificial intelligence capabilities.
With the likes of Meta’s Imagine and Google’s Gemini already available and making waves, in-app AI tools are becoming less of a trend and more of a necessity in order to keep up. The only difference being that these two are free for users, and Snapchat’s currently remains behind the Snapchat+ subscription paywall.
Snapchat+ launched in the summer and currently costs $3.99 a month. Right now it has more than 7 million subscribers , with subscription revenue having already increased by double digits in the majority of countries it's available in.
The new Snapchat+ AI features are currently rolling out, with regional availability varying.
