Meta has integrated its AI-powered photo and video editing tools directly into Instagram Stories. The update allows users to modify their content by entering text prompts to add, remove, or change elements within photos and videos. Previously, these editing capabilities were available on Instagram but were limited to interactions inside the Meta AI chatbot. This integration makes the features more accessible to users within the Stories creation flow.
The new editing options are located in the “Restyle” menu, which can be accessed by tapping the paintbrush icon at the top of the Instagram Stories interface. To modify an image, a user selects “add,” “remove,” or “change” and then describes the desired edit in a prompt bar. Meta provided examples such as asking the tool to change a user’s hair color, add a crown to their head, or place a sunset in the background.
In addition to custom text prompts, preset effects are available. These can alter a person’s outfit by adding items like sunglasses or a biker jacket. Style presets, such as a watercolor effect, can also be applied to an entire image. For video content, users can apply effects that simulate weather conditions like snow or add elements such as flames.
Users must accept Meta’s AI Terms of Service to use these features on Instagram. The terms state that by using the service, Meta is permitted to have its AI analyze user media and facial features. According to the terms, Meta can “summarize image contents, modify images, and generate new content based on the image.”
This update is part of a series of AI-related introductions from Meta. The company was recently observed testing a “Write with Meta AI” prompt designed to help Instagram users compose comments for posts. Last month, Meta also launched “Vibes,” an AI-generated video feed within the Meta AI application, which likely contributed to an increase in downloads.
Data from Similarweb indicates that the daily active users for the Meta AI app on iOS and Android increased to 2.7 million as of October 17. This figure is up from approximately 775,000 users four weeks prior.
To address potential parental concerns, Meta also announced new parental control features earlier this month. These controls give parents the ability to disable their teenagers’ chats with AI characters. The features also allow parents to monitor the topics their teens discuss with the Meta AI chatbot.
