The newest fad on social media at the moment is to look older than what your age is. In a new offering, a face app is using artificial intelligence to show your older self. The app gained popularity after several actors and influencers started using it, their older self sure seemed implausible to say the least.
If you’re wondering how they’re accomplishing this feat, it’s done by an an app called FaceApp, which is now the top trending free app in the iTunes App Store. You can download and use for free for three days.
According to NewsWeek, FaceApp first went viral in 2017, but with many updates since then, the technology has become even more realistic, causing it to go viral once again. The free version offers a limited choice of filters, but, the one that ages the user is available for free. It also gives the user the option to change one’s face, including a change of hair colour and swap genders.
FaceApp was developed by a small team out of Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
“We developed a new technology that uses neural networks to modify a face on any photo while keeping it photorealistic. For example, it can add a smile, change gender and age, or just make you more attractive.”Founder and CEO Yaroslav Goncharov (As told to Tech Crunch)
However, the app has already stirred a bit of controversy. Its privacy policy says that it collects the pictures that the user uploads to its service. Joshua Nozzi, a web developer said on Twitter that it appears the app may try to upload other pictures from the user’s library.
Despite the caution, the app is growing epic viral by the minute. Celebs have turned to the app in a huge way. Here’s how.
The app features other filters like “young” that takes the person back in time.
It was not immediately clear who started the challenge this time around.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)