Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to create custom stickers for their Reels and Stories using their own photos or images of other users. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, announced via his radio channel, “We are testing a way to turn your photos into stickers to use in videos and stories. You can create stickers from your own photos in the camera roll or from qualified photos you see on Instagram.” While Mosseri didn’t provide further details, it appears that users will have the option to transform their photos into stickers.
Apart from custom stickers from photos, Meta-owned Instagram has also announced AI-powered stickers that will enable users to create custom stickers for conversations and stories. Meta indicates that the feature utilizes the Llama 2 language model and the Emu image generation model, which turns text inputs into multiple stickers.
This feature is available to a select group of English-speaking users on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook Stories, but it is limited to a specific number of English-speaking users.
In contrast, Instagram’s sticker feature seems much simpler compared to Meta’s AI-generated stickers, as it only identifies the subject of the photo and removes the background, while the latter creates an entirely new sticker using artificial intelligence.
Instagram is also testing another new feature that will allow users to create polls in the comments section of their posts. These comment polls may look similar to those found in Instagram Stories, and other users will be able to see the number of votes. This feature is part of Instagram’s ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement and interaction on the platform.
These new features represent Instagram’s commitment to innovation and its mission to provide users with creative tools to enhance their social media experience.
Instagram, a popular social media platform owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.), continues to introduce new features and tools to keep its user base engaged and to compete with other social media platforms. The ability to create custom stickers from personal photos or AI-generated stickers adds a unique creative dimension to Instagram Stories and Reels, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, the introduction of comment polls aims to encourage user interaction and make posts more engaging. Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has been investing heavily in AI and machine learning to develop innovative features and maintain its position as a leader in the social media landscape. These developments come as part of the company’s broader strategy to evolve its platforms and services.