WEB DESK: Snapchat has introduced its first open-prompt AI Lens, called the ‘Imagine Lens,’ available free of charge to users in the United States.
Previously launched in September exclusively for paid subscribers, this new feature allows all US users to create and customize images using their own prompts.With the Imagine Lens, users can snap a selfie and then instruct the app to transform their appearance—such as “Turn me into Chewbacca”—or generate images of various objects or characters like a “grumpy cat.” The Lens can also be used for creative ideas like trying on Halloween costumes or altering a friend’s look.
The generated images can be shared directly with friends, posted to a Snapchat story, or shared across other social platforms. This development comes amid increasing competition from AI-powered video tools like Meta AI and OpenAI’s Sora, which enable users to create videos of themselves and share “cameos” with friends.
Snapchat’s AI Lens was previously limited to Lens+ and Snapchat Platinum subscribers, but now a simplified version with limited image options is available to all free users in the US. The company plans to expand access to other regions, including Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.
According to Snapchat, users engage with Lenses over 8 billion times daily. The AI Lens can be found near the front of the in-app Lens Carousel or searched for by name. To generate an image, users simply tap on the prompt caption and input their request, or choose from preloaded suggestions.
This move aims to keep users engaged with innovative features and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI-driven social media landscape.
