New Deep Nostalgia Artificial Intelligence Brings Old Photos to Life, Including Very Old ones.
In theory this seems like a good idea, but it's also a bit creepy.
This beautiful Sunday, Twitter's main character is Deep Nostalgia, an AI-powered service that brings still photos to life as people apparently try to create the creepiest fake "videos".
Deep Nostalgia service offered by an online genealogy company MyHeritage , uses D-ID licensed AI to create the motion effect of a still photo. It looks like iOS Live Photos feature , which adds a few seconds of video to help smartphone photographers find the best shot.
But Deep Nostalgia can take photos with any camera and come alive. The program uses pre-recorded videos of facial movements and applies the one that best suits the still image in question. Its purpose is to allow you to upload photos of deceased loved ones and see them in action, which seems like a great idea.
“It makes me so happy to see him smile again!” Try our new #DeepNostalgia #photoanimation feature for yourself and prepare to be AMAZED!!! https://t.co/p3h600G3MX pic.twitter.com/YdAn9IxyW0
- MyHeritage (@MyHeritage) February 28, 2021
oh my! @MyHeritage has created such an extraordinary photo animation tool. Here is my grandmother! I have clients waiting for work today, how can I tear myself away from this and from #RootsTechConnect pic.twitter.com/op6cMjcXXH
— Nicole Lascelle (@pedigreetales) February 25, 2021
Naturally, the program has become something of a Twitter meme generator, where users try to push the AI to its limits. One archaeologist used photographs of ancient statues, and yes, they included some of them with blank eyes. Apologies in advance for the nightmarish video (but heeeee, we have Alexander the Great):
Here's Alexander the Great pic.twitter.com/djbnzszFM0
— Flint Dibble 🍖🏺📖 (@Flint Dibble) February 28, 2021
Deep Nostalgia can only process single photos and can only animate faces, so you can't reanimate mummies to look like they're walking. You can upload five photos for free to MyHeritage for Deep Nostalgia treatment, after which you will need to sign up for a paid account.
I wonder, maybe some photos are better not to animate? I am cautious about uploading photos to any site and believe that the usual privacy precautions still apply. But if you're going to try Deep Nostalgia, get ready for a surreal experience. The AI is awfully good.