TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years, with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music. In 2022, TikTok introduced a new feature called the AI filter that leverages artificial intelligence to apply different artistic effects and styles to users’ videos.
The AI filter works by using neural networks and deep learning to analyze the visual aspects of a video frame by frame. It can then apply various transformations, adding effects like smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, or transfiguring the video into different art styles like oil paintings or anime drawings. The AI filter gives creators new artistic options to make their videos more engaging and visually dynamic.
Under the hood, the filter uses generative adversarial networks (GANs), a sophisticated deep learning technique. The AI has been trained on millions of data samples to understand artistic styles and patterns. When a user applies the filter, the GAN generates the transformed frames, blending the original video with the desired art style.https://www.wrk.com/blog/tiktok-ai-filter/ This advanced technology allows the filter to work in real-time, processing video dynamically.
Viral Sensation
The AI filter on TikTok quickly went viral as users began experimenting with the effect. Some early examples that spread widely include a video by @austinmoonshow with over 17 million views showing him transforming into various celebrities like Blake Lively and Joe Rogan (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/Best-ai-filter). Another viral hit was a duet by @kestodacat and @maggiesmiddy with 28 million views that morphed their faces in sync to music (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/Ai-filter?lang=en). The filter captured people’s imagination and creativity, leading to many videos gaining huge view counts in a short time.
Creative Uses
People are getting very creative with how they are using the AI filter on TikTok to generate unexpected and hilarious content. One popular trend is using the filter to create imaginary conversations between unlikely pairs like Batman and Spongebob or Harry Potter and Scooby Doo. The AI generates animated videos of the characters having absurd discussions in their distinctive voices (1).
Others are prompting the AI with imaginative concepts like “a pineapple giving a TED talk” or “Shrek as a stand up comedian.” The AI attempts to visually represent these silly ideas, often with comedic results. Songwriters are also experimenting with using the filter to generate AI-written lyrics by giving it a genre of music and artist name as a prompt (2).
Some TikTokers are using the filter to create DIY music videos. They input lyrics and select a singer for the AI to generate a unique music video interpreting the song. Comedian Zach Zugner had fun creating an AI-generated cover of “Baby Got Back” in the style of various singers like Louis Armstrong (2).
Music and Dance
The AI filter has become incredibly popular for use in dance and music videos on TikTok. Many users are pairing the filter with trending songs and dance challenges to put a creative spin on them. For example, TikTok user @aiworldtok posted a video using the AI filter while dancing to the song “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras (source). The filter adds an almost animated effect that smoothly tracks the user’s movements.
Mashups and duets using the AI filter have also gone viral on the platform. Users will record one side of a duet with the filter enabled, then switch it off and record the other side for a cool before-and-after effect. The AI filter dances and lip syncs have accumulated millions of views and inspired many users to try out the effect for themselves.
Pets and Animals
The AI filter on TikTok has become a viral sensation with pet owners using it on their furry friends. Cute and funny videos have emerged showing dogs, cats, and other pets transformed by the filter into various fantastical creatures. The AI morphing effect works by analyzing facial features and then overlaying animated graphics like elf ears, rosy cheeks, and eyelashes onto the pet’s face.
Pet owners are having fun making their dogs look like mystical beasts, their cats appear more human-like, and their rabbits resemble fantasy characters. The videos spread widely on TikTok as viewers find great amusement in seeing familiar pets transformed in unexpected ways. While pets likely have no idea what’s happening, their human companions are thrilled to make their animal friends momentarily appear as mythical figures via the power of AI.
Beyond just cats and dogs, all sorts of animals have been put through the popular AI filter. Farm animals like pigs, cows, and horses take on fantastical new looks. Even wildlife like deer, foxes, and raccoons get an AI makeover. The results are often delightfully absurd yet captivating. As more pet owners and animal enthusiasts discover the filter, there will likely be many more humorous and heartwarming animal videos to come.
To see some examples, check out these AI filter videos of pets and animals from TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/ai-filter-for-pets
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/ai-filter-on-animals
Celebrity Usage
Many celebrities have jumped on the viral AI filter trend, posting hilarious videos of themselves transformed into icons like Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, and more. Fans have gone wild seeing their favorite stars experiment with the AI celebrity filter.
Comedian Kevin Hart posted a video using the filter to become Albert Einstein, exclaiming “E=MC Hammered!” in Einstein’s voice (source). The video instantly went viral with over 4 million likes.
Reality star Paris Hilton transformed into Marilyn Monroe with the filter, playfully posing and blinking her eyes (source). Fans gushed over seeing Paris embody the Hollywood icon.
Other celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Tony Hawk, and Vanessa Hudgens have also tested out the AI celebrity filter to the delight of viewers. Fans are eating up the chance to see their favorite stars transformed into historical figures and pop culture icons.
Controversy
The AI filters on TikTok like Bold Glamour have sparked some controversy and concerns. There are worries about how user data is being collected and used to power the filters according to an NPR article (source). Some critics argue the filters could enable unwanted tracking or surveillance. There are also apprehensions about the implications of normalizing manipulated media and faces.
Additionally, some argue these AI filters promote unrealistic beauty standards, especially for younger users according to a BBC Future article (source). The technology could be misused to marginalize or objectify certain groups. The filters demonstrate remarkable capabilities, but also highlight potential risks if applied irresponsibly or without oversight.
Impact on Culture
The AI filters on TikTok have had a significant impact on culture and beauty standards. On one hand, some criticize the filters for promoting unrealistic and homogeneous beauty ideals, essentially “cloning” faces to look more alike.1 The filters smooth skin, enlarge eyes, shrink noses, and transform features in an attempt to match conventional beauty standards. This has raised concerns about promoting beauty filters over natural features and diversity.
On the other hand, supporters see the filters as a form of creative expression and empowerment. The effects allow people to transform their look and persona, unlocking creative possibilities. Rather than imposing beauty standards, some view the filters as tools for fun and exploration. TikTok has enabled anyone to make AR effects through TikTok Effect House, fostering a culture of creativity.2 Overall, the impact reflects an ongoing debate about technology, beauty ideals, and creative freedom.
Future Possibilities
TikTok has a lot of room to expand and optimize their AI face filter tool. Some potential future uses include adding more customization options, allowing users to preview different hairstyles, accessories, facial hair, and more. TikTok could also expand the tool for age progression, enabling users to see themselves at various ages in the future. To illustrate age progression possibilities, Extrapolate is an AI photo aging app that generates realistic predictions of users at different ages (Extrapolate: AI Photo Aging App – See Your Future Self).
While fun, TikTok will need to be mindful of potential risks associated with face modification tools. Spreading misinformation, cyberbullying, and setting unrealistic expectations are dangers. TikTok should look to partner with child development experts, mental health professionals, and policymakers to ensure they roll out features responsibly. If executed properly, TikTok’s AI filter has the potential to be an engaging and safe platform for creativity.
Conclusion
The viral popularity of the AI filter on TikTok has opened up imaginative new ways for people to express themselves and entertain others online. From choreographed dances to cute pet videos, the filter has enabled everyday users to create fun augmented reality content. While some criticize it as just a gimmick, it represents an early version of AR going mainstream, paving the way for more advanced filters and effects. Looking ahead, as the technology improves, we may see even more realistic and seamless merging of AI elements into videos. For now, it seems clear this filter has caught the creative spark of TikTok users and influenced internet culture in memorable ways. Only time will tell what wacky trends and memes may come next.
