Snap Inc., which runs the social media app Snapchat, has released a new generative AI-powered Lens for users, called Imagine Lens. The company describes it as its first "Open Prompt Image Generation Lens."
In other words, it"s a text-to-image AI generator that you can use to create, edit, and recreate Snaps by supplying your own prompts. You can share the image with your friends, post it to your story, or use it outside of Snapchat. Being open prompt means you are not limited to a pre-selected list of options and can describe exactly what you want.
You can find the Imagine Lens near the front of the Carousel or in the Exclusive category in the Snapchat app. After selecting the Lens, you can go ahead with one of the pre-loaded prompts or tap the caption to edit your own prompt.
Imagine Lens is currently exclusive to those who have subscribed to the Lens+ or Snapchat+ Platinum plan, the company said. It"s the latest addition to Snap"s increasing catalog of AI-powered Lenses. Speaking of which, the social media giant launched its first set of generative AI video Lenses in March this year, featuring raccoons, foxes, and spring flowers.
Earlier this year, Snap Inc. unveiled its text-to-image AI model designed to offer fast, high-quality image generation on the device. The company claimed that its AI model can generate high-resolution images in about 1.4 seconds on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, adding that the model will eventually make it to some of its features.
According to Snap Inc."s internal data, more than 400 million people have used its Gen AI Lenses over four billion times. The company has leveraged the opportunity and turned it into a cash cow by launching Sponsored AI Lenses, which enable advertisers to create paid AI Lenses featuring their brand.