TikTok launches "AI Alive" feature, turning photos into videos

TikTok unveiled its first image-to-video AI feature called "AI Alive" on Tuesday, allowing users to transform static photos into dynamic videos within TikTok Stories. The new tool leverages artificial intelligence to add movement and effects to still images, further expanding the platform's creative capabilities.Users can access AI Alive through TikTok's Story Camera by tapping the blue plus button on their Inbox or Profile page, then selecting a photo from their Story Album. The AI Alive icon appears in the right toolbar of the photo edit screen, where users can provide prompts describing their desired video outcome."AI Alive uses intelligent editing tools that give anyone, regardless of editing experience, the ability to transform static images into captivating, short-form videos enhanced with movement, atmospheric and creative effects," TikTok stated in a blog post announcing the feature.TikTok has implemented multiple safety protocols for the new feature. All AI-generated content receives an "AI-generated" label and contains embedded C2PA metadata, ensuring viewers know the content's origin even if downloaded and shared elsewhere."Moderation technology reviews the uploaded photo and written AI generation prompt as well as the AI Alive video before it's shown to the creator," TikTok explained. A final safety check occurs once a user publishes to their Story, and viewers can report videos they believe violate platform guidelines.The launch positions TikTok ahead of competitors in the AI video generation space. While Instagram and Snapchat offer text-to-image AI tools, TikTok's move into image-to-video conversion represents a significant advancement in accessible AI creative tools.Snapchat has indicated it will soon launch similar functionality, suggesting AI-powered video creation is becoming the next competitive frontier for social media platforms seeking to enhance user engagement through innovative content creation options.