Snapchat is working on a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) tool to generate images, marking a shift from its reliance on third-party solutions like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This new tool, designed for mobile devices, is set to enhance several Snapchat features by leveraging a custom text-to-image model.
Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, revealed that the new AI model will enable the generation of high-resolution images in under 1.5 seconds on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The innovation lies in the model’s ability to operate entirely on users’ smartphones, reducing the need for large server-based computations and, consequently, lowering computational costs compared to traditional cloud-based models.
In a blog post, Snap emphasized its ongoing commitment to research and innovation, stating, “We are inspired by the industry innovation that is making AI tools more efficient, affordable, and accessible, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the rapid pace of innovation, particularly for mobile-first experiences.”
The new image generation tool is still in development, with Snap planning to integrate it into Snapchat in the coming months. The in-house model will power various features, including AI Snaps and AI-generated Bitmoji backgrounds. Additionally, the tool promises to offer unique, customizable features to Snapchat users, no longer depending on external image-generation technologies.
However, performance may vary depending on the device used. While iPhone 16 Pro Max users can expect near-instant image generation, the effectiveness of the AI tool on lower-end smartphones remains uncertain.
Snap’s new AI-driven image generator is poised to elevate the platform’s capabilities, reinforcing its focus on delivering a mobile-first user experience.
