AI-firm Alias Technologies has developed an AI-powered social media platform known as BeFake, adding pressure to the already existing social platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The irony with the platform is that users on BeFake can genuinely express themselves through the act of “being fake.”
Founded by former Machine Zone CEO Kristen Garcia Dumont, BeFake also gives users a new way to explore their identities, authenticity, and “creativity beyond the limitations of the physical world.”
BeFake, being a bot-like platform, helps generate content for users, alongside what they create as well. While the social media platform is currently focused on still images, there is no ruling out further expansion into video generation.
Fakeness all the way
The social media platform rides on its catchphrase “why be real when you can be fake?” which supports Garcia Dumont’s beliefs that being authentic is “extremely stressful” and can make “social way too hard.”
According to an article by Venturebeat, users can enter text prompts and can transform themselves into augmented visuals.
“BeFake represents a revolution in how we interact with social media and the growing presence of AI in our social circles,” said Garcia Dumont.
“It is more than just an app; it’s an expressive outlet that empowers new ways of connecting with friends through AI-generated visuals. We believe authenticity can shine through fantasy as much as reality,” she added.
Garcia Dumont added that the BeFake platform serves as a welcome introduction to AI prompting. The whole idea of creating the app, bringing together generative AI technology into social networks, she said, was to create fake versions of people.
Just like BeReal, the app gives random reminders for users to take a picture with both front and back cameras activated at the same time. However, with BeFake, you don’t portray what you’re doing or the actual surroundings, but the built-in AI generator will place you in whatever environment you like.
Lifehacker describes the platform as “faker than Instagram.”
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From Imagination to visualization
Essentially the BeFake allows users to put their imaginations into reality by transforming them into images; a visualization of their wild imaginations.
“People want aspirational social media and to show their best selves online, and BeFake lets users easily make any moment AI-augmented and share their creativity with friends,” said Garcia Dumont.
“I’m really passionate about breaking down the barriers of human connection, and believe we can use AI to democratize social media and reduce the stress, pressure, and vulnerability many of us feel in posting,” added the CEO, who was also instrumental in the formation of two of the most profitable mobile games in the world – Game of War and Mobile Strike by Machine Zone where she previously served as CEO.
While the app has been cheered for being “different” and “interesting” by users, it has come at a time when there are rising concerns over the genuineness of content on social media due to the spread of misinformation and deepfakes.
Responding to a post about the app on the X platform, Paul Couvert said: “The concept is interesting. But I don’t think it can become really popular. The social media trend right now is more about authenticity.”
An AI-based social media app is coming.
Kristen Garcia Dumont (ex-Machine Zone CEO) has founded a new social media app called BeFake, to redefine social media.
The app lets users snap fantasy versions of themselves using AI-generated images.
More details:
-It allows users to… pic.twitter.com/K4LY8vO3Wd— Rowan Cheung (@rowancheung) August 18, 2023
From content consumers to content creators
According to Garcia Dumont, BeFake also aspires to create fun among users by turning them into content creators, as opposed to being consumers of content only. However, getting the right prompts can be difficult, she said.
In light of this, the platform already has prompt suggestions, for instance, users can choose “Make me hot” or “Put me in outer space with planets all around.”
“The fake stuff was where we started. Now we’re starting out with a real user – it’s you. You recognize it as you take your picture, and you transform it with AI and you still know it’s you,” she said.
While users can still generate images for free, it awaits to be seen how the platform will strike the balance between getting computing power and offering free generative AI processing.
However, the VentureBeat report indicates that power users will eventually be charged a subscription to generate more images or access more features. Every week, the app requires a subscription of $2.99 and a $9.99 monthly subscription.
BeFake is now available on the App Store and Google Play.
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