Categories: BuzzTechnology

Snapchat has globally launched its AI chatbot and revealed new features and AR tools at the Snap Partner Summit 2023.

Snapchat’s parent company, Snap, held its Snap Partner Summit 2023 on April 19th, unveiling a range of new features and experiences to improve user engagement on its platform. The annual event introduced fresh Calling Lenses and location-sharing options for Snap Map, alongside new programs to assist creators in monetizing and connecting with their audiences. Snap is also expanding its AR try-on features and has rolled out its My AI chatbot, powered by OpenAI’s GPT technology, globally. With over 750 million monthly active users around the world, the social media company announced two new options for Stories, namely After Dark and Communities. The former is intended for posting late-night events, while the latter enables users to share their viewpoints with classmates. Snap Map will now display landmarks in 3D for its new location-sharing option, where friends can see your Bitmoji avatar, which over 1.7 billion Snapchatters already use.

Snapchat is providing new ways for content creators to earn revenue and engage with their audience, challenging the dominance of Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram. The Stories revenue share program and Spotlight reward program offer Snapchatters with at least 50,000 followers, 25 million monthly Snap views, and a minimum of 10 monthly Stories, the chance to monetize their content. Moreover, the Public Stories feature enables users over 18 years old to post publicly with a single tap, while the scheduling feature allows creators to choose the date and time for their posts. Creators can also include a Linktree on their new Public Profile, competing with similar features on TikTok and Instagram.

During the summit, Snap announced a multi-year partnership with Live Nation, an American entertainment company. This collaboration will bring custom AR experiences to 16 major festivals, including Electric Daisy Carnival and Beyond Wonderland Southern California.

Snap announced its collaboration with live event visualization company Disguise to bring Snap AR to some of the largest venues and tours worldwide. The Snapchat camera will offer AR visuals that interact with the on-stage production through Disguise RenderStream during future shows. Furthermore, Snapchat has teamed up with DJ Kygo to create AR experiences for some of his concerts.

Snapchat is also expanding its Shopping Suite to allow users to virtually try on clothing and apparel using Snap’s proprietary AR Image Processing technology and 3D Viewer. The Fit Finder feature will provide accurate size and fit recommendations for shoppers.

Snapchat has introduced AR Mirrors, enabling customers to try on products virtually in addition to the AR shopping experience. Brands such as Nike and Men’s Wearhouse are already utilizing AR Mirrors to improve their in-store customer experience. Snapchat has also partnered with Coca-Cola to launch an AR-enabled vending machine that can be controlled using gestures.

Snap announced the launch of its new Generative AI Lenses at the annual summit. The feature allows Snapchatters worldwide to transform themselves and their surroundings into an animated sci-fi scene through the Cosmic Lens. The app will also provide suggestions on Lenses that fit the context of a Snapchatter’s photo or video. Additionally, Snap introduced new Lense recommendations based on the user’s unique preferences, as well as a new way to quickly add AR to Memories.

The company also revealed the expansion of its experimental My AI chatbot, which runs on the latest version of OpenAI’s GPT technology. Initially unveiled in February exclusively for Snapchat+ subscribers, the AI chatbot is now available to a global audience with new features.

Snapchat’s My AI chatbot, which is now available globally, offers multiple Bitmoji variations that users can personalize. My AI can be included in conversations with friends by tagging it and asking a question on behalf of the group. It can suggest relevant Lenses and provide place recommendations from the Snap Map. Users can also send Snaps to My AI and receive a chat reply. Snapchat says that it has programmed My AI to assess the severity of potentially harmful content and will restrict access to users who misuse the service temporarily. The company is also working to integrate My AI into its in-app parental tools.