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Snapchat just joined the artificial intelligence (AI<\/a>) playing field, announcing its new AI-selfie feature, \u201cDreams<\/a>,\u201d on August 29, powered by open-source technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n Without a doubt, AI has unlocked even more creative possibilities. Starting today, we\u2019re testing Dreams, which uses generative AI to bring your selfies into fantastical new realities that are, of course, perfect for sharing with friends. <\/p>\n To get started, head to Memories, take a\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Jack Brody (@jackdbrody) August 29, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n This latest addition, found within the Memories section of Snapchat\u2019s camera roll, allows users to explore generative AI-generated selfies, but will initially rollout to Australia and New Zealand\u2019s user base. However, Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, expects to expand the roll-out to users worldwide in upcoming weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n The rollout of Dreams began in Australia and New Zealand, with availability expanding to users worldwide in the upcoming weeks.<\/p>\n Dreams comes on the heels of Snap\u2019s earlier release of the My AI chatbot and is an attempt to capture the popularity of AI-enhanced selfies like those found on apps such as Lensa.<\/p>\n When Lenses <\/em>first arrived on the platform in 2015, Snapchat users had fun changing their look and style through augmented reality (AR) \u2013 including \u201csprouting dog ears\u201d and changing their hair color.\u00a0<\/p>\n To use Dreams, users upload a series of personal selfies within the app, specially tailored for the feature. Snapchat then offers a selection of themed packs, each containing eight AI-generated photos.\u00a0<\/p>\n Themes include concepts like doppelgangers or back-to-school looks. While the first Dreams pack is complimentary, additional packs can be acquired for $1 through in-app purchases.<\/p>\n According to Jack Brody, Snap\u2019s VP of Product, Dreams aligns with Snapchat\u2019s playful and creative approach to engaging its user base.<\/p>\n Snap gave The Verge<\/em>\u2019s Alex Heath <\/em>early access<\/a> to Snapchat\u2019s Dreams feature to try for his editorial review, where he said it took about 30 minutes for him to receive his generated Dream images after uploading his selfie and agreeing to its Terms of Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n A major takeaway from the Dreams\u2019 Terms of Service is that Snapchat users are not allowed to buy Dreams for anyone else\u2019s Snapchat account, but they are able to share Dreams on and off the platform. If a user decides to share Dreams off of Snapchat, they must keep the watermark and\/or any other features or logos that are embedded in their final Dreams output.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, according to Heath, the results were a mixed bag in terms of resemblance to his original photo.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSeveral of the Dreams I received didn\u2019t really look like me, although there were a couple of funny ones I would consider sharing as a joke,\u201d Heath said in his review. \u201cMost of the images didn\u2019t seem to capture my likeness relative to the selfies I\u2019ve made in Lensa and other AI apps. He added that the second doppelganger-themed pack he tried produced results that \u201cwere all over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Snap also emphasized that users cannot create their own Dreams with custom prompts for now. Brody hinted that more AI options would \u201carrive eventually,\u201d akin to the way the company expanded its Lens offerings to include community-created designs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at the way we approached AR, for instance, all of the Lenses that we created when we first launched were made in-house,\u201d Brody told The Verge. \u201cOver time, we did open this up to the community and we have a robust process for ensuring that community Lenses conform with our community guidelines and are also loved by the community. So, I think when you look at Dreams, that\u2019s the way we\u2019re approaching it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Brody also told The Verge that each art style it currently offers was made by Snap employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n The company also plans to allow users to include friends in their Dreams, with users consenting to this even before using Dreams in single-player mode. The terms of service also hint at Sponsored Dreams, suggesting that larger IP franchises and brands may soon become part of the Dreams experience.<\/p>\n Despite not grabbing headlines as often as some of its competitors, Snapchat maintains a substantial user base. In July, Snap reported 397 million daily active users (DAU) in the last quarter, and is expecting DAU to reach between 405 million and 406 million by the third quarter, according to CNBC<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Similar to much of big tech having to cut back on costs and labor, Snap implemented its cost-cutting plan<\/a> in 2022, laying off 20% of the company\u2019s overall workforce of 6,400 at the time. As of June 30, 2023, Snap reported having 5,286 full-time workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the launch of Dreams, Snapchat is looking to solidify its position as an AI contender in the social media landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: This article was written by an nft now staff member in collaboration with OpenAI\u2019s GPT-4.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Creating Your Own \u2018Dream\u2019<\/h2>\n
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