Introduction to TikTok’s AI-Powered Feature

TikTok has been exploring the potential of generative AI features, albeit in a more subtle manner compared to Meta’s approach with Instagram. The company has introduced an innovative feature called "AI Alive" that enables users to transform static images into short, stylized video clips. This feature is currently available for TikTok’s Stories, which caters to more ephemeral sharing.

How the Feature Works

To access the "AI Alive" feature, users can start with a still image Stories post from the app’s inbox. By selecting the "AI Alive" option, users are prompted to "make this photo come alive." TikTok provides suggested prompts, but users also have the freedom to come up with their own creative ideas. This feature allows users to experiment with different styles and effects, making it a fun and engaging tool.

Example Usage

A demonstration of the feature is provided in the video below, showcasing three different scenarios. Starting with an image of a cat standing on a railing, the feature was used to bring the photo to life in various styles. The first prompt, "bring this to life as an anime," resulted in a somewhat creepy animation that erased the cat’s tabby stripes. The second prompt, "walk carefully along the railing," produced an animation with noticeable AI artifacts and unnatural movements. The final prompt, "style this like a retro game," yielded a baffling result, with the cat holding up two comically huge wine glasses, which didn’t evoke any familiar video game elements.

Conclusion

While the results may be mixed, the "AI Alive" feature is a fun novelty that can lead to some entertaining and bizarre creations. As with many generative AI features, it’s an enjoyable tool that can be used to produce unique and humorous content. TikTok users can experiment with different prompts and styles, making it a great way to add some creativity and personality to their Stories posts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-just-added-an-ai-powered-image-to-video-feature-and-it-did-some-weird-things-to-my-cat-184630740.html?src=rss