Snapchat makes its first open prompt AI Lens available for free in the US

Snapchat has announced that its innovative 'Imagine Lens'—the platform's first open prompt image-generation AI Lens—is now available to all users in the United States at no cost. Initially introduced in September exclusively for paid subscribers, this Lens allows users to elevate their Snaps by crafting custom prompts or generating unique images. For example, users can prompt the app with requests like 'turn me into an alien' after taking a selfie, or they might ask for an image of a 'grumpy cat.' The possibilities are endless! Snapchat encourages creativity by suggesting users try on Halloween costume ideas or envision their friends in entirely new looks. This strategic move to broaden access comes in response to the fierce competition from AI video-generating applications like Meta's Meta AI and OpenAI's Sora, which offer even more sophisticated features to capture the attention of young users. Sora, for instance, allows users to create personalized videos by providing a single video and audio recording, enabling friends to share AI-generated personas known as 'cameos' to star in collaborative videos. To remain competitive, Snapchat's decision to make the AI Lens freely accessible is a timely investment. Previously, this feature was solely available to Lens+ and Snapchat Platinum subscribers. Now, a limited number of image generations will be open to all free users in the U.S., with plans to expand to other regions, including Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Users can easily find the Lens at the front of the in-app Lens Carousel or search for it by name. To create their desired images, users simply tap the caption to edit their prompt or select from preloaded suggestions for inspiration. Snapchat reports that its users engage with Lenses over 8 billion times each day, underscoring the popularity of these creative tools.