When Instagram appeared, it took the whole world by storm. Suddenly, everyone got obsessed with posting what they eat, where they go, and how they spend free time. And all these pics were spiced with a grain of something special—filters.
Do you remember the classic ones, like Valencia, Nashville, or Amaro? They were pretty basic if we speak from the perspective of modern technology: they were simply adjusting colors, changing contrast, and tweaking brightness to make those photos unique in their own way.
But still, despite all the simplicity, these filters were revolutionary! Why? Because in such a way, Instagram gave all its users, despite their status or income level, the possibility to access photo editing, which had been unimaginable before.
Then, there came the times of Snapchat and Instagram Stories, where we saw real-time filters that could give us dog ears or pig noses, to name a few. The filters were not preset already.
They were using complex algorithms to analyze a person’s facial features and apply a filter accordingly in real time. And now we can even create custom artificial intelligence filters. By the way, we can use all these filters not only for photos but for videos as well!
So, what exactly powers these magical transformations? At the core, it’s all about machine learning (ML), a subset of artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning algorithms are trained on vast datasets (millions of images in this case) to recognize patterns and details in human faces.
When you apply a filter, the AI uses this acquired knowledge to map those patterns onto your face here and now. Think of it like teaching a kid to recognize a cat. You show them thousands of pictures of cats until they can spot one instantly.
Similarly, AI face filters learn from countless images to perfect the art of facial recognition and transformation. Companies like Snapchat and Instagram employ neural networks, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which are excellent for processing visual data.
Beyond Social Media: AI Filters in Various Industries
While social media was the breeding ground for AI filters, their potential reaches far beyond just making us look good in selfies. Industries have started harnessing this technology for more practical applications.
- The sphere of beauty and e-commerce
Remember those beauty apps like Facetune and YouCam Makeup? They took AI filters to another level, allowing their users to virtually apply makeup, change hairstyles, and even alter facial features with astonishing accuracy.
No wonder numerous beauty brands decided to turn AI to their advantage. That was a very smart move to make! Companies like L’Oréal and Sephora resorted to this tech to let their customers virtually try on their cosmetic products before making the actual purchase.
That was a real win-win for both customers and brands. The former got rid of playing the guessing games all the time when buying online and started to feel more confident in their purchase, while the latter got fewer returns, boosted their online sales, and expanded their customer base.
- Healthcare
AI filters have gotten into medicine as well. For example, AI already can analyze X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to identify the problems that may be hidden from human eyes, potentially saving lives through early detection.
For instance, there is the SkinVision app powered by AI. By analyzing photos of skin lesions and moles, the app can detect early signs of skin cancer.
Plastic surgery was also influenced by the filters: there are AI simulators that can show patients how they will look after the desired procedure or predict how long they will recover after it.
- Automotive industry
The automotive industry is leveraging AI filters for safety and navigation. Have you ever heard of advanced driver-assistance systems? They analyze videos in real time to identify road signs, notice obstacles, and even foresee what movements a pedestrian is going to make.
In the future, this tech may give way to self-driving vehicles, and this will definitely make our commutes safer, more convenient and effective.
- Workplace
Online work meetings have become part and parcel of our lives. No matter whether we use Zoom or Google Meet, we can apply virtual backgrounds to make our setting more professional, feel that our privacy is not infringed, or simply add a bit of informality to a call. And this is AI in action as well!
Plus, in this case, artificial intelligence goes far beyond a simple background swap—it can help us improve video and audio quality or play with the lightning to make virtual meetings even more professional and less stressful.
- The world of art
Lastly, AI filters are making waves in the art world. Artists are using AI to create stunning, dynamic pieces that evolve and change. For example, the Prisma app can transform your photo into a real work of art. How?
Its AI has learned the styles of famous painters and can now apply this knowledge in practice. In addition, nowadays, practically all AI chatbots can generate images according to the users’ request and apply any AI filter or effect they desire.
Wrapping Up: The Road Ahead
So, where do we go from here? The evolution of AI filters is a perfect example of how technology can leap from novelty to necessity. From enhancing our Instagram photos to diagnosing medical conditions and transforming industries, AI filters are reshaping our world in incredible ways.
As we move forward, the ethical implications are likely to become more crucial. We’ll need to balance innovation with privacy and ensure that these powerful tools are used responsibly. But one thing’s for sure—AI filters are here to stay, and they’ll continue to surprise us with new applications we can’t even imagine yet.
