On Tuesday, TikTok made a significant announcement by launching its first image-to-video AI feature, named “TikTok AI Alive”. This innovative feature allows users to transform static photos into dynamic videos, enhancing their storytelling capabilities within TikTok Stories. Currently, the feature is exclusively accessible through TikTok’s Story Camera, utilizing advanced AI technology to generate captivating short-form videos that include “movement, atmospheric, and creative effects,” as stated by TikTok.
The TikTok AI Alive feature brings photos to life in remarkable ways. For instance, if a user uploads a photo showcasing a serene beach scene with a sky, clouds, and the ocean, the AI can animate this image into a vibrant video. Users might see the sky transitioning through various hues, clouds gently drifting, and even hear the soothing sounds of crashing waves. Additionally, group selfies can be animated to emphasize gestures and facial expressions, making them more interactive and engaging.
The launch of TikTok AI Alive follows the company’s introduction of an in-app text-to-image AI generator a few years ago. While platforms like Instagram and Snapchat also offer text-to-image AI features, TikTok has taken a more advanced step by enabling users to create videos directly from images. Notably, Snapchat has announced plans to allow creators to generate AI videos from images in the near future, indicating a growing trend in social media towards this technology.
TikTok has emphasized the importance of safety in its AI innovations. The platform will label AI Alive stories with an AI-generated tag, ensuring users are aware that the content was created using AI technology. Furthermore, each video will include C2PA metadata, a technical standard designed to help users identify AI-generated content, even if it is downloaded and shared outside of TikTok.
In a blog post, TikTok stated, “We are always building with safety in mind, and the same goes for our AI innovations.” The company has implemented multiple trust and safety checks to protect its community as this technology facilitates new forms of creative expression. Moderation technology will review the uploaded photo and the AI generation prompt, as well as the resulting AI Alive video, prior to its visibility to the creator.
Creating an AI Alive video is a straightforward process for TikTok users. To get started, open the Story Camera and click the blue plus button located at the top of the Inbox page or Profile page. From the Story Album, select a photo you wish to animate. Once selected, the AI Alive icon will appear on the right side toolbar of the photo edit page, enabling users to bring their images to life with just a few taps.
As TikTok continues to innovate and expand its features, the introduction of TikTok AI Alive marks a significant step forward in enhancing user creativity and engagement on the platform. With safety measures in place, this feature promises to offer a fun and interactive way for users to express themselves through video storytelling.
