Snapchat’s ‘Dreams’ Feature: How Generative AI Will Revolutionize Online Self-Expression

Snapchat is known for its innovative and fun features that allow users to create and share snaps with their friends and followers? Snapchat has always been at the forefront of social media creativity, from filters and stickers to lenses and stories. But now, Snapchat is taking it to the next level with its new generative AI feature,’ Dreams.’

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What is ‘Dreams’?a

‘Dreams’ is a feature that allows users to take or upload selfie photos, enabling the app to generate new pictures of them in scenarios they imagine. For example, you can take a selfie and see yourself in a fantasy world, a historical setting, or a futuristic landscape. You can also choose from themes and categories like adventure, romance, horror, or comedy.

The feature uses generative AI technology, a branch of artificial intelligence that can create new content from existing data. In this case, Snapchat uses an AI model called ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, a research organization dedicated to creating and promoting ethical AI. ChatGPT is a powerful natural language processing (NLP) model that can generate realistic and coherent text based on a given input. Snapchat has adapted ChatGPT to generate images instead of text, using selfie photos as inputs?

How does it work?

To use ‘Dreams,’ you must have a clear selfie photo showing your face and features. You can take a new photo using the Snapchat camera or upload an existing one from your camera roll. It would help if you also had a variety of angles, expressions, and lighting conditions to get better results.

Once your selfie photo is ready, tap the ‘Dreams’ icon in the screen’s bottom left corner. This will open a menu where you can choose from different categories and themes for your dream image. You can also type in your custom theme for something more specific.

After you select your theme, Snapchat will use its generative AI model to create a new image of you in the chosen scenario. Depending on the theme’s complexity and the photo’s quality, the process may take a few seconds or minutes. You will then see your dream image on the screen, which you can save or share with your friends.

What are the benefits?

‘Dreams’ is more than just a fun and entertaining feature. It is also a way to explore your creativity and express yourself online. With ‘Dreams,’ you can:

• Discover new possibilities: You can see yourself in situations and environments you may not have experienced. You can also experiment with different styles and looks that suit your personality and mood.
• Share your stories: You can use ‘Dreams’ to tell stories about yourself or your friends. You can create narratives and scenarios that reflect your interests, passions, or fantasies. You can also use ‘Dreams’ to make jokes, pranks, or memes that will make your friends laugh.
• Connect with others: You can use ‘Dreams’ to interact with users with similar themes or interests. You can join communities and groups based on ‘Dreams’ categories or themes. You can also collaborate with your friends to create ‘Dreams’ images together.

What are the challenges?

‘Dreams’ is not without its challenges and limitations. As with any new technology, some potential issues and risks must be addressed. Some of these are:

• Privacy: ‘Dreams’ requires users to upload their selfie photos to Snapchat’s servers, which the generative AI model processes. This raises concerns about how Snapchat handles and protects users’ personal data and images. Snapchat claims it does not store or share users’ photos or dream images without consent. However, some users may still be wary of giving up their privacy for entertainment.
• Quality: ‘Dreams’ relies on the quality of the input photo and the output image. Suppose the input photo is blurry, dark, or has other people or objects. In that case, the output image may not be accurate or realistic. Similarly, suppose the output image is distorted, pixelated, or has artifacts. In that case, it may not be appealing or satisfying for the user.
• Ethics: ‘Dreams’ uses generative AI technology. This powerful but controversial tool can have positive or negative impacts depending on its use. Generative AI can create fantastic content that can inspire and educate people. Still, it can create fake or misleading content that harms or deceives people. For example, generative AI can create deepfakes, manipulated videos, or images that can impersonate or defame someone. Snapchat says it prohibits users from creating or sharing harmful or offensive content using ‘Dreams.’ However, some users may still abuse the feature for malicious purposes.

What is the future?

‘Dreams’ is still in its early stages of development and testing. Snapchat has not officially announced when it will launch the feature to the public. Still, some users have already spotted it in the app’s code and interface. Snapchat has also been working on other features related to ‘Dreams,’ such as ‘Dreams with Friends’ and ‘Dream Packs.’

‘Dreams with Friends’ is a feature allowing users to give their friends permission to generate ‘Dreams’ images. For example, you can create a ‘Dream’ image of you and your friend in a romantic or funny scenario. This feature can enhance the social and collaborative aspects of ‘Dreams,’ and create more personalized and diverse content.

‘Dream Packs’ are bundles of themes and categories that users can purchase or unlock to access more options for their ‘Dreams’ images. For example, you can buy a ‘Dream Pack’ that contains themes related to movies, music, sports, or art. This feature can increase the variety and quality of ‘Dreams,’ and generate revenue for Snapchat.

Snapchat is not the only company that is experimenting with generative AI technology? Other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have also developed and launched features that use generative AI to create or enhance content. For example, Facebook has recently introduced ‘Metaverse,’ a virtual reality platform that uses generative AI to create immersive and interactive user experiences. Instagram has also been testing ‘Reels Remix,’ a feature allowing users to create video mashups using generative AI. TikTok has also been using generative AI to create filters and effects that can transform users’ appearance or environment.

Generative AI is a rapidly evolving and expanding field that has many applications and implications for the future of online content creation and consumption. Snapchat’s ‘Dreams’ feature is one of the latest examples of how generative AI can change how we express ourselves online. With ‘Dreams,’ we can unleash our imagination and creativity and see ourselves in new and exciting ways.

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