Snapchat has taken a significant leap in the world of artificial intelligence by introducing its first-ever video generative AI Lenses, exclusively available to users on its premium subscription tier, Snapchat Platinum, which costs $15.99 per month. This move marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to stay competitive in the tech landscape, particularly in the realm of AI-powered features.

The three new AI Video Lenses are powered by Snap's in-house built generative video model, which was first unveiled at the company's Partner Summit last September. A spokesperson for Snap confirmed that the new AI Video Lenses leverage later versions of this underlying technology, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation and advancement in the field of AI.

Snapchat has long been regarded as a leader in augmented reality (AR), but the company has also been investing heavily in AI over the past few years, alongside nearly every other major tech company. The introduction of AI Video Lenses is a strategic move to provide users with features that aren't yet available on rival platforms, including Instagram and TikTok.

The initial three AI Video Lenses, dubbed "Raccoon," "Fox," and "Spring Flowers," offer users a unique and engaging experience. "Raccoon" and "Fox" animate furry friends cuddling up with the user, while "Spring Flowers" generates a zoom-out effect revealing the person in the Snap holding a bouquet. These Lenses can be accessed through the Lens carousel, allowing users to select and capture a Snap using either their front or back camera. The AI video will then generate and automatically save to the user's Memories.

In a blog post, Snapchat emphasized that these Lenses, powered by its in-house built generative video model, bring some of the most cutting-edge AI tools available today to Snapchatters through a familiar Lens format. The company expressed its excitement to see what users will create with these new features, highlighting its long history of being a first mover in bringing advanced AR, machine learning (ML), and AI tools directly to its community.

Notably, Snapchat has tapped AI tools from OpenAI and Google in the past to power some of its features, but it's now also building its own in-house models. Last month, the company unveiled an AI text-to-image research model for mobile devices that will power some of Snapchat's features in the coming months. By implementing in-house technology, Snap aims to offer its community high-quality AI tools at a lower operating cost.

The introduction of AI Video Lenses marks a significant step forward for Snapchat, as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the AI space. With plans to add more Lenses every week, Snapchat is poised to stay ahead of the curve and provide its users with unique and engaging experiences that set it apart from its competitors.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, Snapchat's move into video generative AI Lenses is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and its desire to stay competitive in the market. With the AI landscape rapidly changing, it will be interesting to see how Snapchat's new features are received by its users and how the company will continue to push the boundaries of AI-powered technology in the future.