Imagine Lens: Snapchat’s New AI Tool Turns Words Into Images; A Huge Leap in Generative AI

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Imagine Lens, Snapchat’s first open prompt image-generation AI Lens feature, is set to roll out for all users for free. The feature uses advanced AI to turn words into creative visuals quickly. According to the company’s blog, the Lens, first launched in September for paid subscribers, allows users to create and edit Snaps using written prompts.

Snapchat’s Imagine Lens

Snapchat has recently made a huge leap into generative AI with its Imagine Lens, offering users creative freedom to bring their prompts to life.

Snapchat users can turn their camera snaps or camera roll photos into AI-generated art using text prompts. In contrast to the previous Snapchat Lenses, which were fixed and stylized effects, this one allows users to write their own prompt. This feature makes Snapchat open-ended and extremely versatile.

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Creators can give any sort of prompts, whether it's wild or uncomplicated. Users can make themselves an alien, any animal, or a comic hero with these AI lens features. 

In a blog post, the company mentioned: “We’ve now made the Imagine Lens available to all Snapchatters in the US, no subscription required, and we are beginning to expand it to additional international markets, starting with Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. With the Imagine Lens, your creativity is the only limit. Just type in your idea, watch it come to life, and share your creation with friends, your Story, or even beyond Snapchat.”

How Does it Work?

According to Snapchat, the Imagine Lens is integrated with the Snapchat camera. 

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Tap the Lens Carousel in Snapchat. Imagine will be on the very first page.
Tap the caption box and type in a prompt or use one of the suggestions provided as standard, such as turning this person into a funny caricature.
Snap creates an AI image and allows users to share it to their Story, send it to their friends, or save it to share later.
 

Snapchat also encouraged users to share AI-generated content responsibly, reminding them to stay transparent and have fun while using the feature.

Snapchat Imagine Lens vs. Competitors

Similar AI features are available on other platforms. Meta provides “Imagine Yourself,” YouTube offers “Dream Screen,” and TikTok has “AI Self.” 

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What makes Snapchat’s feature unique from others is, Imagine Lens is built directly into the camera workflow, and the creation process becomes easy.

Snapchat Storage Update

Snapchat is also updating its Memories feature by ending the unlimited free storage option, which was introduced in 2016. Free users will now get a 5GB storage limit, while extra space can be availed through three paid plans.

Meta and OpenAI have already launched AI-driven creative tools like Meta’s AI video generator and OpenAI’s Sora. With this rollout, Snapchat aims to inspire creativity across its global community, giving users new ways to create and express themselves through AI-driven experiences.

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