Snapchat Unveils New ‘Imagine Lens’: A Text-to-Image AI Generator Revolutionizing User Content Creation

Snapchat introduces a novel feature dubbed “Imagine Lens,” enabling users to create and modify images utilizing text-to-image AI technology. This new tool is accessible exclusively to subscribers of Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscription tiers.

The Imagine Lens empowers users to generate, edit, and reimagine their Snaps by inputting personalized prompts. The resulting images can then be shared with friends, posted on their Story, or distributed beyond the confines of Snapchat.

Although Snapchat already boasts a variety of generative AI Lenses, the company emphasizes that Imagine Lens represents its first open-ended prompt image generation Lens.

Users can generate images using customized prompts such as “depict an image of a grumpy cat” or “transform myself into an alien.” The Lens also offers pre-loaded prompts for user convenience, including “Convert me into a four to five panel comic where something surprising yet heroic transpires,” “Transform me into a humorous caricature,” and “Make this person skydive.”

Snapchat encourages users to simply tap the caption bar to modify their prompt as desired.

Earlier in the year, Snap debuted an AI text-to-image research model for mobile devices, promising it would power certain Snapchat features in the future. While Snap did not confirm whether this model powers the new Lens, it did reveal that its Lenses are constructed using a blend of in-house models and cutting-edge AI models from the industry.

Snapchat+ Platinum and Lens+ subscribers can locate the new Lens at the front of the Lens Carousel or within the Exclusive category. Upon selecting the Lens, users can tap the caption to input or modify their prompt. A monthly Platinum subscription costs $15.99, while a Lens+ subscription amounts to $8.99.

Snapchat’s commitment to AR technology is evident, with significant investments in AI over the past few years, mirroring similar strategies adopted by most other tech companies.

Recently, the company launched a standalone Lens Studio iOS app and web tool, designed to streamline the process of creating AR Lenses using AI and user-friendly tools. In March, it unveiled its first video generative AI Lenses as well.