Since Snap released its Lens Studio tool in 2017, creators have become “the fuel of Snap AR,” the company says by way of announcing Lens Studio 5.0 Beta, representing a major overhaul of the editor. The development tool now includes a ChatGPT API, improved version control, and more support for teams. The company also launched a Lens Performance Toolkit to help optimize reach and engagement. Performance optimization has resulted in load times that are 18x faster, Snap says, noting “a project that used to take 25 seconds to open now only takes seconds — resetting the bar for productivity.”

“We’ve introduced generative AI features, so you can save time instead of searching for assets or building your own because now you can generate textures and face masks all within Lens Studio,” Snap explains in an announcement.

Snap introduced Lens Studio 5.0 last week at its Lens Fest 2023 AR developer conference, where the company announced that the latest result of its ongoing partnership with OpenAI is a ChatGPT Remote API that lets developers leverage ChatGPT in their Lenses.

“Developers will be able to generate text-based content to create new types of learning, conversational, and creative experiences for Snapchat users,” TechCrunch explains, noting that “developers can create Lenses that feature infinite quizzes and randomizers created by ChatGPT, or they can create new types of Lenses that change the camera style by automatically applying filters and directors modes based on the user’s prompt.”

Snap “is adding ChatGPT to its augmented reality Lenses as AI becomes an integral part of consumer products,” VentureBeat writes. Snap also drew on OpenAI technology for the My AI chatbot it announced in February, and the company used it again for the My AI Snaps snapback app that debuted in June.

“Another new AI capability in Lens Studio 5.0 Beta is a 3D face mask generator that enables ‘anyone to build their first potentially viral self-expression Lens within a matter of seconds,’” according to TechCrunch, adding that “the 3D face mask generator combines generative AI and Snap’s face mesh capabilities.”

“There are more than 330,000 developers working on the Snap ecosystem,” VentureBeat reports, noting “Snap has sold more than 3.5 million Lenses over time, and Snapchatters viewed them over three trillion times in the past year.”