Snapchat has just taken their Augmented Reality (AR) offerings to a new level by introducing Lenses powered by Generative AI, starting with a new ‘Cosmic Lens’. Snap CTO Bobby Murphy revealed this news at the Snap Partner Summit and explained how AI and AR being deeply interconnected will unlock a new spectrum of creative possibilities, all while seamlessly blending computing into the real world.
To better optimize the AR experience, the platform is making it easier to find relevant lenses as they will be tailored to the context of a photo or video taken by the user. A combination of visual understanding and APIs analyzing factors like the local weather and time of day will come into play for these personalized recommendations. Snapchat is also making improvements to the AI-powered Lens Carousel and launching a new AR Bar with hundreds of suggested Lenses organized by category.
In addition, Snapchat is also testing ways to speed up the process of adding AR to Memories. Shots taken by the user will appear alongside Lenses in the Snapchat Camera, making it quick and easy to discern the best one for a particular Memory. The platform already boasts of more than 300,000 AR creators and developers who have collectively built 3 million Lenses, some of which have been viewed more than 10 billion times.
At the Summit, Snap also unveiled a range of other features, such as enhanced Stories, updates to the Snap Map, the introduction of innovative ways to interact with friends, and other activity improvements including their My AI chatbot. Snapchat’s decision to use generative AI to level up their AR capabilities is a sign of the times, as even other popular social media platforms such as TikTok are taking advantage of AI to enhance their own AR filters.
Snapchat is an online multimedia messaging platform based in LA and founded in 2011. Created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown, it was made to be an alternative to ordinary text messages but with the added features that are currently available such as disappearing messages, filters and the ability to access the platform from a variety of different devices. Bobby Murphy is co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Snapchat and is responsible for the development and production of the company’s products. He is highly involved in the design and development of Snapchat’s core features, including its social media technology, AI, and new media projects. Murphy has played a crucial role in the success of Snapchat and in the advancement of ‘Generative AI.’
