The news: Snapchat launched Sponsored AI Lenses, a new ad format that places users in branded, AI-generated scenes when they take selfies to drive immersive engagement.
Sponsored AI Lenses appear in the Lens Carousel, where over 300 million daily active users engage with AR every day, per Snap. The company says brands using this format appear front and center of the camera feature, gaining 25% to 45% more daily impressions.
Why it’s worth watching: Snap says the format eliminates the need for 3D and visual effects design, indicating that AI is fast becoming an alternative to its AR and mixed-reality features and driving down costs with “AI-generated templates that cut production timelines,” per TechCrunch.