A new breed of beauty filters powered by artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to destroy our self-confidence.
Expert warns against using TikTok's Bold Glamour Filter
What if everyone you saw on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and even over FaceTime and Zoom calls always had perfect skin, flawless bone structure, impeccable makeup, and beautifully thick, groomed eyebrows? You’d probably wonder why the person you saw in the mirror looked such an imperfect, asymmetrical mess. That’s the promise—and threat—of incredibly realistic AI filters like Bold Glamour.
“As a mental health professional, I understand the importance of feeling good about yourself. However, using beauty filters can lead to unrealistic expectations and negative self-perceptions. Constant comparison to an idealized, filtered appearance can lead to negative body image and self-esteem issues,” clinical psychotherapist Lisa Lawless told Lifewire via email.
We’ve had beauty filters for a while now, but these new AI versions are eerily perfect. Not only do they shift features, apply makeup, and fix your skin and facial hair, they do it without a hitch. I spent some time watching some of the videos in this Twitter thread and was pretty amazed at how robust the effect is. If you want to know how it works, AI leaker and Snapchat lens creator Luke Hurd has a great explainer here.
