Chinese AI Portrait Generator Miaoya Camera has taken social media platforms by storm, becoming a sensation overnight. While it offers users the opportunity to get an AI-generated portrait for a minimal fee, concerns regarding data security have also emerged.
Miaoya Camera has become one of the first consumer applications in China to leverage generative artificial intelligence (AI), the technology behind OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT. For just 9.9 yuan ($1.4), users can upload at least 20 recent photos to create a digital clone of themselves. This clone can then be transformed into various types of portraits, such as business photos, identification photos, or even portraits in ancient Chinese styles.
What sets Miaoya Camera apart is its ability to enable users to train the AI to produce a more accurate representation of themselves. This falls in line with the logic of generative AI, which can use existing examples to create something entirely new. As a result, users are flocking to the platform, with some waiting over 15 hours during peak periods to get their digital clone. At its peak, the queue had over 6,000 users eagerly awaiting their turn.
According to a poll conducted by lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, 72% of users favored portraits created by Miaoya Camera over those taken at Tianzhenlan, a major professional portrait photography chain in China. This success can be attributed to the AI portrait generator’s affordability and its ability to deliver high-quality photos comparable to those obtained from offline studios.
While Miaoya Camera’s success is undeniable, industry experts are cautious about its potential to replace traditional offline photo studios. The application has yet to establish a clear business model, and it may struggle to secure repeat payments from users after their initial experience.
Aside from concerns over its long-term viability, Miaoya Camera has also encountered data security issues. Initially, users questioned the company’s user agreement, which seemingly granted the company comprehensive rights to use users’ content. The agreement was subsequently revised, assuring users that the uploaded photos would solely be utilized for creating digital clones.
As generative AI applications gain popularity, data security becomes a paramount concern. Instances of illegal data acquisition, data leakage, and malicious misuse of data have heightened the importance of addressing these issues swiftly. Zhang Tianyi, a senior product manager at RealAI, an AI security company backed by Tsinghua University, warns that the misuse of content generated by large models could result in compliance issues, including the creation and dissemination of misleading deep fakes.
Miaoya Camera’s journey is noteworthy, representing one of the first successful consumer applications of generative AI in China. However, the challenges of establishing a sustainable business model and protecting data integrity remain critical to its future success.
In conclusion, the Chinese AI Portrait Generator Miaoya Camera has become a sensation on social media platforms due to its ability to produce high-quality AI-generated portraits at an affordable price. While it has captured public attention, concerns surrounding data security loom. Despite this, Miaoya Camera’s rise underscores the significant potential of generative AI applications in China’s consumer market.
