Facebook is introducing new artificial intelligence-powered features, including animated profile pictures, photo-restyling tools for Stories and Memories, and animated backgrounds for text posts, as part of its effort to attract younger users.
The animated profile picture feature applies motion effects to static photos, making the subject appear to wave, make a heart shape, or wear a virtual party hat. For optimal results, the feature works best with a clear photo of a single individual facing the camera. Users can source photos from their camera roll or existing platform images. Facebook plans to introduce additional animation options throughout the year, providing users with more creative possibilities.
In addition to animated profile pictures, Facebook is enhancing its Stories and Memories features with “Restyle,” a tool that utilizes Meta AI to reimagine user-uploaded images. Stories are short photo and video posts that disappear after 24 hours, while Memories resurface past posts from the same date, allowing users to relive fond memories. Upon uploading a photo to Stories or selecting a Memory, users can activate Restyle, which offers text-based prompts or preset themes such as anime, illustrated, glowy, or ethereal. Users can also adjust moods, lighting, and colors, and swap in new backdrops like a beach or a cityscape, giving them extensive creative control.
Facebook is also rolling out animated backgrounds for text posts gradually. Users can click a rainbow “A” icon to choose from various still and animated scenes, including falling leaves or rolling ocean waves. The company is also planning to introduce seasonal backgrounds in the future, allowing users to personalize their posts according to the time of year or current events.
With approximately 2.1 billion daily active users, Facebook has been struggling to attract and retain younger demographics. In response, the platform has been integrating new technology, including AI, and implementing a more youthful redesign. Recent updates include a friends-only feed and the ability to use unique display names within Groups, similar to Reddit’s username system. Furthermore, Facebook is attempting to revitalize its ‘poke’ feature by introducing a dedicated button on user profiles, which alerts recipients of a ‘poke’ via notifications, aiming to rekindle a feature that was once popular among its users.
