Snapchat Unveils 'Imagine Lens': AI-Powered Image Generation for Premium Users

Snapchat's new Lens lets you create AI images using text prompts | TechCrunch

Snapchat is launching a new Lens that lets users create and edit images using a text-to-image AI generator, the company told TechCrunch exclusively. The new "Imagine Lens" is available to Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers. Imagine Lens allows users to create, edit, and recreate Snaps by entering their own prompts. They can then share the image with their friends, post it to their Story, or share it outside out Snapchat. While Snapchat already has numerous generative AI Lenses, the company notes that Imagine Lens is its first open prompt image generation Lens. Users can generate images using custom prompts, like "create an image of a grumpy cat" or "turn me into an alien." The Lens also features pre-loaded prompts that people can use, such as "Turn me into a four to five panel comic where something unexpected but heroic happens," "Make me into a funny caricature," and "Make this person skydive." Snapchat notes that users can always tap the caption bar to edit their prompt into anything they'd like. Earlier this year, Snap unveiled an AI text-to-image research model for mobile devices that it said would power some of Snapchat's features in the future. While Snap didn't confirm whether this model powers the new Lens, it did note that its Lenses are built using a combination of both in-house models and industry leading AI models. Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers can find the new Lens in the front of the Lens Carousel or in the Exclusive category. After selecting the Lens, they can tap the caption to enter or edit the prompt. A Platinum subscription costs $15.99 per month, while a Lens+ subscription costs $8.99 per month. Snap has been seen as a leader in AR, but has also been investing in AI over the past few years alongside nearly every other tech company. A few months ago, the company launched a standalone Lens Studio iOS app and web tool designed to make it easier for anyone to create AR Lenses using AI and simple tools. And in March, it rolled out its first-ever video generative AI Lenses.

Snapchat's new AI Imagine Lens lets you become whoever you can describe

The Lens is only available to Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers for now Snapchat has been offering AI-powered Lenses for pre-programmed filters for a while, but its newest feature lets you write out any prompt you want. The new Imagine Lens will alter your photos based on what you type, no matter how specific. You could take a selfie and ask it to "turn me into a four-panel comic where I become a jellyfish superhero," and see that comic appear. Only available for Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers on iOS, Imagine Lens is the app's first open-prompt AI image generator built into the Lens Carousel. Unlike Snapchat's existing generative Lenses, which offer fun but fixed effects, this one actually listens to what you type. The resulting image can then be posted to your Story, saved to your camera roll, or shared with your friends. Unlike those existing Lenses, you won't be able to make a video or see the overlay ahead of time, but Snap seems confident people will like the final result. There are plenty of AI image generators and editors, but the Imagine Lens does stand out for its speed and for being streamlined by being part of the Snapchat app. You just open the camera, swipe over to the Imagine Lens, and start typing into the caption bar. You can also use one of Snapchat's prewritten prompt suggestions, such as "make this person into a comic strip," "turn me into a Renaissance statue," or "make this a goofy caricature." The Imagine Lens is in some ways the current height of Snapchat's efforts to combine AI with augmented reality as part of its brand. This year, Snap launched its first video-based AI Lenses and rolled out a standalone Lens Studio app and web portal. The idea was to make it easier for amateur creators to build AR filters from scratch. Imagine Lens just extends that idea in a limited manner to every user (who pays to subscribe). There's clearly demand for it, and Snap doesn't want to be left behind as TikTok grows its suite of AI effects and filters, not to mention the similar experiments carried out by Google, Meta, Apple, and other major brands. How well the Imagine Lens performs for a larger user base remains to be seen. AI image tools can be fuzzy in their logic when interpreting a prompt. Still, it's easy to see how people who use Snapchat might be keen to get their hands on Imagine, and how it might even entice people to pay for the privilege. Snap will need to push for ways to stand out, though, as the idea for making fun visual moments instantly from a written prompt becomes ubiquitous. Imagine that.

Snapchat Introduces Imagine Lens with AI Image Generation for Snaps

The Imagine Lens feature is only available to Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers. Snapchat is introducing a new Imagine Lens feature, which lets you create AI-generated images with text prompts, and it is available for Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers. Snapchat announced Imagine Lens in its blog post today. As the name implies, it lets you create a custom lens by giving a text prompt, which you can edit later to get the desired effect. You can ask it to "create an image of a fluffy dog" or "turn me into a robot," and it will use AI to generate the image. It also features some pre-made effects like "Turn me into a four to five-panel comic where something unexpected but heroic happens", "Make me into a funny caricature," and "Make this person skydive." Of course, you can edit the prompt by tapping on the caption bar and modify it according to your preference. It essentially allows you to create your own lens, something you could only do from Snapchat Lens Studio till now. The Imagine Lens feature will be available from Snapchat's Lens carousel, and within the exclusive category. However, you will need a Snapchat+ Platinum or Lens+ subscription to use this exclusive Lens. Snapchat has been adding AI features to its app prior to everyone else, with MyAI and other image creation features. So it was inevitable that AI lens creation was going to come to the app sooner rather than later. As for the underlying model, the platform is said to be using a mix of its own in-house and industry-leading AI models for the Imagine Lens feature.

Imagine: A New Way to Create with Lenses

Every day, hundreds of millions of Snapchatters use Lenses to play, explore, and express themselves in new ways, and more than 400 million Snapchatters have engaged with Gen AI Lenses more than 4 billion times. Today we're introducing the Imagine Lens, our first Open Prompt Image Generation Lens. With the Imagine Lens, Snapchatters can create, edit, and recreate Snaps simply by entering their own prompts, then seamlessly share them with friends, post to their Story, or outside of Snapchat. Exclusive to Lens+ and Snapchat+ Platinum subscribers, the Imagine Lens unlocks even more creativity for our community with the latest in AI innovation.