On Wednesday, Instagram rolled out its innovative AI-driven background editing tool for users in the United States. Ahmad Al-Dahle, Meta’s head of generative AI, shared the news on Threads, highlighting that the tool enables users to alter the backdrop of their images using prompts specifically designed for Stories.
Upon selecting the background editor icon in an image, users will be presented with pre-set prompts such as “On a red carpet,” “Being chased by dinosaurs,” and “Surrounded by puppies.” Users also have the option to craft their own prompts for personalized background changes.
Once a user shares a Story featuring the newly generated background, viewers will encounter a “Try it” sticker with the associated prompt, inviting them to explore and interact with the image generation tool.
In parallel developments, Snapchat introduced a new tool this week exclusively for its paying users, allowing them to generate and send AI-created images. Earlier in the year, Snapchat introduced the Dreams feature, enabling users to craft imaginative self-images with various themes. Additionally, Snapchat+ users gained the ability to utilize prompt-based backgrounds.
Notably, Meta extended the reach of its 28 AI-powered characters to all its apps—WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram—for U.S.-based users. This expansion includes support for Bing search and an enhanced context window. Simultaneously, the company launched Imagine with Meta, a standalone AI image generator fueled by its proprietary Emu model.
