Instagram now lets you generate backgrounds for stories using AI

Generative AI seems to be everywhere, whether in the form of tools for generating text, images or videos. It is available in the form of  cloud-based services such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, or Google Bard, and even on our devices, with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipsets.

That’s not all, though. Generative AI, has made its way to social media platforms as well, whether it is WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, or Instagram. Speaking of generative AI and Instagram, the platform has just introduced a new feature that allows one to generate unique backgrounds for their stories via written prompts. Here’s how it works.

What the new generative AI tool for Instagram stories is and how it works

Instagram is using AI to allow users to create better backgrounds for stories. Meta’s lead for generative AI, Ahdmad Al-Dahle, announced the feature via a post on Threads earlier this week.

The new backdrop tool on Instagram appears once a user has captured an image or uploaded it to their story editor. It sits on the top, alongside the icons for text, music, and stickers, and can be identified by an image of a person with a rectangular frame behind them. Once users tap on it, the backdrop against the subject in the image should turn into a checkered one, similar to Photoshop.

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Along with it comes a text box, prompting them to describe the background they’d like to generate. They will receive prompt suggestions such as “On a red carpet,” “surrounded by dinosaurs,” and more, and can also key in their own prompts and modify their stories’ backgrounds.

Once users post it, the story will appear to their followers with a sticker saying “Try it.” Tapping on it will take them to the story editor so they can play around with the tool as well.

The addition is the latest in Meta’s recent AI-powered developments for its services. Last month, Meta made its 28 AI-powered characters available across its apps. The company also launched its own unique AI-image generator called Imagine with Meta, powered by Meta’s own LLM (large language model) called Emu.

Bear in mind, however, that the new generative-AI-based background editor tool for Instagram stories is currently available only to smartphone users in the US. When it will arrive for users in other markets, remains unknown as of now.