Snapchat's My AI Chatbot Introduces New Google Lens-Inspired Features

At the annual Snap Partner Summit held on Tuesday, Snapchat unveiled a suite of innovative AI features designed to enhance user engagement. A standout announcement was the update to the My AI chatbot, which now functions more like Google Lens, enabling it to handle more intricate Snaps.

For example, users can snap a picture of a menu written in a foreign language and send it to My AI for an instant English translation. Additionally, photographing a plant and submitting it to the chatbot will help identify its species.

Users can also take photos of parking signs, allowing My AI to quickly clarify parking rules for specific locations. These kinds of features were initially popularized by Google Lens.

This launch signifies Snapchat's commitment to transforming My AI into a valuable tool rather than merely an entertainment feature. Months earlier, Snapchat introduced in-app reminders and countdowns through My AI. The enhancements announced today further bolster the chatbot's utility, encouraging users to engage with the app for their various search needs.

Moreover, Snap announced the “My Selfie” feature, which empowers Snapchat+ premium subscribers to utilize AI-powered edits within their Memories (saved Snaps). This creative feature allows users to enrich their existing Snaps by adding captions and Lenses. For example, a saved selfie could be reimagined with a Lens to depict the user as a character from a Renaissance painting.

Additionally, users can now choose to appear in AI-generated images alongside friends—creating fun portrayals, such as both of you transformed into lawyers or Olympic athletes.

Snapchat also revealed plans to introduce an AI-powered Lens that will let users visualize how they might look in the future, a clever reply to TikTok's popular aging filter.

In other news, Snapchat is rolling out upgraded HD video calls and a new feature called Snap Mail, which allows users to leave a Snap for friends who miss their calls. The app will also start displaying local time zones in chats to simplify scheduling connections with friends around the globe.