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These filters are taking over Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok. Yet, there is a hidden nature to these filters that many few people are aware of. The Instagram 2.0 application update from September 2011 added "live filters," which allowed users to evaluate the filter's impact while taking pictures using the app's camera. Around 2013, the hashtag #NoFilter, which designates an image without any filters, gained popularity.
PHOTOGRAPH : Arianagrande/Instagram; Haileybaldwin/Instagram
B Y C A L V I N M U S K
PUBLISHED MAY 8, 2023 • 15 MIN READ
| PSYCHOLOGY |
Social media filters are just another example of the dangers of A.I technology.
As A.I is on the rise, social media filters are just another prime example of uses for this technology. Alongside other A.I products, social media filters have having a nasty impact on psychology.
Filters and A.I
How do social media filters utilize artificial intelligence technologies to fulfill its purpose?
How do social media filters utilize artificial intelligence technologies to fulfill its purpose?
It's been nearly a week since the Calvin Bureau of Investigation's analysis into the current state of A.I and how it's rising. As A.I rises, so does the threats and risks attached to it. We're already seeing an increase in misuse and malicious intentions regarding this software, and that includes social media filters. As A.I technologies and software are on the rise- specifically generative A.I- social media filters are an early example of what A.I is capable of doing in live time with our faces.
Social media filters use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze facial features and detect specific parts of the face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and cheekbones, to apply the desired effects in real-time. The Instagram 2.0 application update from September 2011 added "live filters," which allowed users to evaluate the filter's impact while taking pictures using the app's camera. Around 2013, the hashtag #NoFilter, which designates an image without any filters, gained popularity. This marked the rise of social media filters which we are seeing in social media platforms such as Tik Tok, Snapchat, Instagram, and other related technologies.
The Most Trending
The Rainbow Vomit
Snapchat Filters
The rainbow vomit is an iconic filter part of Snapchat's culture and identity. The "Rainbow Vomit" filter on Snapchat is a colorful and playful filter that adds a rainbow trail to the user's mouth as if they are vomiting rainbows, and can also distort and stretch the user's face to create a comical effect. The filter has become popular for its playful and whimsical nature.
The BABY FACE
Snapchat Filters
The Baby Face filter on Snapchat is a popular real-time filter that uses AR technology to transform the user's face to resemble that of a baby's. The filter applies a virtual layer over the user's face, making their eyes appear larger and more round, smoothing out their skin, and adding a small nose and chubby cheeks. It also often includes a pacifier or baby bonnet to complete the effect.
The Face Swap
Snapchat Filters
The face swap filter on Snapchat allows users to swap their faces with another person or object in real-time, using advanced facial recognition technology. It superimposes the user's face onto the selected image or video, allowing for a fun and often humorous effect. Users can swap faces with friends, celebrities, and even inanimate objects, creating hilarious and often surreal results.
The Flower Crown
Snapchat Filters
The Flower Crown filter on Snapchat is a popular and whimsical filter that places a colorful crown of flowers on the user's head, giving them a bohemian, natural look. The filter features a variety of different flowers, including roses, daisies, and baby's breath, and can be adjusted to fit the user's head size and positioning. The filter also has the ability to add a subtle, rosy glow to the user's cheeks, creating a soft and romantic effect.
| TECHNOLOGY |
Snapchat was under fire after a Bob Marley filter was deemed "racist" and "offensive".
April 20th, 2016
For releasing a new selfie lens on April 20th that projects Bob Marley's visage onto the user, Snapchat received criticism. By enabling people to upload photos of themselves in digital blackface, critics claim the decision lowers Marley's legacy to a stereotype.
The Most Trending
Mayfair
Instagram Filters
Amongst the most popular filters on Instagram is Mayfair. This filter works by slightly warming up colors in the given photo which makes them appear brighter and more vibrant. It works pretty well with outdoor shots, such as landscapes or pictures taken in natural lights by accentuating the warm tones and makes them stand out from the rest. This also adds a subtle bignette effect around the edges of the photo which creates added depth.
Gingham
Instagram Filters
This filter adds a vintage, slightly faded effect to photos, giving them a classic feel. This retro-inspired photo filter, which was previously exclusive to videos, allows Instagram users to relive the past. The vintage effect added by the filter gives photos a timeless look, and the faded effect makes them appear more nostalgic and sentimental. By applying this filter, Instagram users can add a touch of old-school charm to their modern-day photos and videos, bridging the gap between the past and present.
Juno
Instagram Filters
Due to its versatility, Juno is a well-liked filter. Warm tones like reds and yellows are intensified while the contrast and saturation of the image are only marginally increased. You can play with Juno if you want the warm tones in your shot to pop out a little more than the cool ones.
Lark
Instagram Filters
With the use of the Lark filter, your images will have more vibrant, clear, and brilliant colours. Your images will acquire a cold, blue-green hue that can assist counterbalance the warmer tones in the scene. This filter is great for landscapes, outdoor shots, and anything with lots of natural light. Lark is a well-liked option for Instagram users who wish to improve their images without going crazy because of its subtle but powerful effect.
| POLLS AND OPINIONS |
Interested in learning more about the most popular Instagram filters?
May 08th, 2023
If you're wanting to learn more about which Instagram filters are the most popular, you can check out this special report conducted by Canva which measures the interest in Instagram filters down in the United States by state and by region. They investigated the Instagram filter market both domestically and internationally. Which filters are most commonly used? The ones that receive the most likes from other Instagram users. From Aden to X-Pro II, we plotted and ranked every filter to gain an overview of who uses it. For the fascinating insights, keep reading.
The Most Trending
Green Screen
Tik Tok Filters
An iconic Tik Tok filter adored by all content creators. This filter enables the creator to remove the background with A.I technology and replace it with an image to make it appear like they are in another location. This is incredible for skits, and widely used by the news community.
Time Warp Scan
Tik Tok Filters
The Time Warp Scan filter on TikTok is a popular effect that creates a distorted, wavy effect on videos. The filter works by scanning the camera frame from either left to right or top to bottom, freezing the image as it goes. This creates a warped effect that can be used to create interesting visuals, such as stretching or squeezing objects, creating a "slow-motion" effect, or making it appear as if objects are being sucked into a vortex.
Face Zoom
Tik Tok Filters
The face zoom effect on TikTok is a filter that, as the name suggests, zooms in on the face of the person in the video. This filter starts with a wide shot of the scene and then zooms in on the face, often making the features look exaggerated or distorted. It can be used for comedic effect or to highlight certain expressions or reactions. The face zoom effect has become very popular on TikTok and is commonly used in lip-sync videos, dance challenges, and other types of content.
A.I Anime Art
Tik Tok Filters
This new Tik Tok filter takes A.I technology incorporates A.I art directly into its app and software. Using this filter, people are able to convert images into A.I art- often in an anime style- instantly. This new Tik Tok filter is a groundbreaking feature that merges artistic expression with advanced technology.
| TECHOLOGY |
Outrage sparked as influencers say that the beauty filter was applied without their knowledge on Tik Tok
June 16th, 2021
According to a story by MIT Technology Review, several TikTok users claim the software automatically added beauty filters to their videos without their knowledge or consent. Beauty filters, which make skin smoother, lips more plump, and can “feminize” facial features, are a Gordian knot of temporary ego boosts and thorny self-esteem issues that include everything from Snapchat dysmorphia to the perpetuation of Eurocentric beauty standards. However, rather than being automatically applied by an app, these filters are often accessed by the user.
Filters and A.I
How do social media filters utilize artificial intelligence technologies to fulfill it's purpose?
How do social media filters utilize artificial intelligence technologies to fulfill it's purpose?
It's not just live filters that utilize this technology. Rather, their for-you page algorithm that recommends content to users is also built with A.I related technology. This algorithm is built with a machine learning and artificial intelligence system that recommends content to users based on their viewing history, likes, comments, and other interactions. The algorithm also takes into account how long users watch a particular video and other factors to determine what type of content to show them next. By analyzing data and predicting user preferences, the algorithm offers a personalized experience for each user. While this technology is very interesting, it can also be creepy to many; like our conversation with Paul Davis, this technology has the potential to wreck our lives. While this technology has been revolutionary for social media platforms and have been used to enhance video qualities with content creators, they also are linked with the rise of anxiety amongst various different age groups.
The truth is, as we're entering a new era of generative A.I, new software like Khan Academy (as Mojomush discussed), Adobe, Google, Microsoft, etc are taking advantage of this opportunity to incorporate new forms of generative A.I into their systems and softwares.
Since the very beginning, social media companies are utilizing A.I to integrate new systems such as face filters. While they may just be a tool for entertainment for many, they can also become the source of anxiety for others as well. We'll be exploring at the psychological consequences as of result to these social media filters and how they're connected.
Filters and A.I
What is augmented reality? How is it different from A.I?
What is augmented reality? How is it different from A.I?
A computer-generated perception of the real world is enhanced through an interactive experience called augmented reality. Augmented reality uses software, apps, and hardware like AR glasses to superimpose digital material over actual settings and objects. Some iconic examples may be Pokemon Go, and whatever else there may be. This example also includes face filters. Another cool feature I found is the augmented reality integrated into Google Maps!
While augmented reality is not the same as A.I, augmented reality does heavily rely on A.I and machine learning to sustain it's purpose. Take our example of face filters which uses augmented reality; A.I is used to learning and differentiating human features like our nose, our eyes, our mouth, etc which augmented reality can do the rest of it's work on. AI can be used to improve the accuracy and realism of AR experiences by enabling the technology to recognize and track real-world objects more effectively, as well as to generate more realistic digital objects. AI can also be used to personalize AR experiences for individual users by analyzing their behavior and preferences. It's not wrong to call them "A.I face filters" since they do technically involve A.I, but I guess a bigger aspect of this technology is the augmented aspect of it. :)
FaceTune
A.I Filters
Facetune is a photo editing app that allows users to retouch and enhance their selfies and portraits. The app features a variety of tools and filters, such as teeth whitening, skin smoothing, blemish removal, and makeup application. It also includes advanced features such as the ability to reshape facial features and adjust the lighting and color of the photo. Facetune is popular among social media users who want to create a flawless and polished appearance in their photos.
YouCam
A.I Filters
YouCam is a beauty camera app that utilizes advanced facial recognition and augmented reality (AR) technology to provide users with a variety of beauty tools and filters to enhance their appearance in real-time. The app offers features such as skin smoothing, skin tone adjustments, blemish removal, face reshaping, makeup application, and hair color changes, among others. YouCam also includes a virtual try-on feature that allows users to try out different makeup looks and hairstyles before applying them in real life.
Perfect365
A.I Filters
Perfect365 is a beauty app that uses advanced facial recognition and augmented reality technology to allow users to try on makeup and beauty looks virtually. Users can upload their own photo or use their phone's camera to try on different makeup styles, experiment with different lip and eye colors, and even test out hairstyles. The app also features a skin diagnostic tool that analyzes the user's skin and recommends products and routines to improve their skin's health.
BeautyPlus
A.I Filters
BeautyPlus is a photo editing app that offers a range of tools for enhancing selfies and portraits. The app uses AI technology to adjust and enhance skin tone, remove blemishes, whiten teeth, and apply makeup effects such as lipstick, eyeliner, and blush. It also offers features for adjusting lighting, adding filters, and creating collages. BeautyPlus is available for both iOS and Android devices.
| TECHNOLOGY |
Popular female biker unmasked as 50-year-old man in Japan
March 31, 2021
Don’t believe everything you see on social media. A seemingly motorcycle-obsessed “young woman” in Japan has been unmasked as a 50-year-old man with great hair, after he revealed that he used a face-changing, gender-swapping app to become an influencer on Twitter. The individual, who goes by Azusagakuyuki on Twitter, attracted more than 23,000 followers by posting photos of himself as a young woman on a motorcycle in recent months. Many of the posts were filled with optimistic sayings and emojis, and a few of them show the “woman” posing in a towel or topless. Others show her striking “cute” poses in a style known as kawaii.
This data shows the interest in the following term "face filters" over time according to data given by Google Trends. Though not the most accurate way of measuring interests, it does the job. We saw a peak in the search time "Face filters" on Google in roughly April of 2020 which may be credited to the COVID-19 pandemic and more people starting to use social media platforms like Tik Tok and Snapchat. According to Google Trends, it was also around this point when the term " Tik Tok" saw its peak in search interests (based on worldwide data). . To combat the negative health effects of internalized beauty standards, users of social media should be aware of the impact on their mental health and behavior, while influencers and social media companies should take responsibility for promoting realistic beauty standards. Then, there lies a huge ethical dilemma. Who should be held liable and responsible for this? The social media company themselves, the user, or sometimes, could it be the influencer who is the inspiration of millions of followers?
Anxiety and Social Media Filters
The use of face filters on social media apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok have become increasingly popular as A.I technologies are becoming more accessible by the day. While they can be fun and entertaining like what we've seen on Tik Tok and Snapchat, they are linked to how you mentioned the rise of anxiety and lower self-esteem and confidence. They can trigger or exacerbate body dysmorphia, and even lead to a desire for plastic surgery to look like to filtered version of oneself. I've experimented with some of these filters and saw that with myself from time to time. Additionally this negative image of yourself has likely resulted in the rise of eating disorders though this data is still limited. Some people even bring in photos of their filtered selves as inspiration photos during plastic surgery procedures. Additionally, social media filters can perpetuate feelings of loneliness and isolation, and excessive time spent looking at filtered versions of oneself can adversely affect mood, sleep, and overall mental and physical wellness. Even those who don't spend a lot of time on these apps can still feel the impact of these filters because they have a way of affecting society as a whole. While they can hurt the user using the filter, they can also hurt the viewer. Take that article; as A.I evolve, it's only harder to tell whats real and fake on the internet. Those images of Donald Trump's indictment on my presentation on A.I stumped millions of people on social media and nobody had a clue. It's just a warning of the future that lies with technology and A.I software.
Filters and A.I
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
A study of 30 children with asthma found that using an augmented reality app that teaches breathing exercises reduced their anxiety levels by 51% after four weeks 1.
A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 60% of them would be interested in using augmented reality to manage their mental health, and that 42% of them would prefer augmented reality over traditional therapy .
Although augmented reality can be used to spark anxiety, it can also be used to combat anxiety. These data show that we can utilize this technology to create breathing exercises and therapies to treat mental disorders. Just like with any technology, they can be used for both good and bad.
| TECHNOLOGY |
Augmented reality reminds me of the use of an artificial womb.
December 16th, 2022
Augmented reality enables us to customize ourselves- similar to a video game character. We can adjust what we want, what we don't want, and what we wish to change. This technology reminds me of this newly introduced technology known as an artificial womb which is just like what it sounds. You can customize yourself- or in this case, your baby to have different physical traits and can even adjust your baby's intelligence level. Talking about technology evolving at a rapid rate! If I'm being honest, I wouldn't want to be alive to witness this. Would you?
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