Ethan Carter
Unlike many competitors in the social media landscape, Snap has not heavily invested in artificial intelligence (AI). While the company has integrated several generative AI features into Snapchat, it has not prioritized this technology as a core element of its strategy.
Now, Snap is launching a new standalone AI assistant named Specs Intelligence, which will accompany its newly designed AR glasses. This “anticipatory AI service” is set to play a significant role in Snap’s hardware ecosystem and will also be available through dedicated desktop and mobile applications for users without the glasses.
Although Snap does not label Specs Intelligence as an agent or assistant, its functionality resembles that of Meta’s recently unveiled Muse. According to a blog post from the company, “Specs Intelligence builds an understanding of your goals, priorities, relationships, and routines from the apps and tools you choose to connect.”
Specs Intelligence operates independently from Snapchat and appears to focus more on productivity than any previous offerings from Snap. The assistant connects to users’ external accounts, such as Google, to provide timely reminders and relevant information tailored to individual needs. For instance, it could suggest “questions to ask, and things to remember” before a meeting or display travel plans in advance of a trip. it organizes information into distinct “corners” to help users manage tasks related to family separately from work commitments.
For users who own AR Specs, the assistant can present relevant information directly in their line of sight. Specs owners can interact with the assistant by saying “Hey Specs.” While this feature was not active during my demonstration, I successfully opened a browser window by saying “Hey Specs,” suggesting a similarity to Meta’s AI functionality with its glasses.
Snap seems to be addressing privacy concerns that have arisen around Meta’s practices. The company assures users that Specs Intelligence will not be used to train AI models or serve advertisements, and states that “Snap personnel cannot view or access the personal content you use with the service.”
A limited version of Specs Intelligence is now available for users in the US through the Specs app on iOS. This preview allows users to link their Google accounts to gain “insights about where you spend your time and attention,” though it will not provide proactive suggestions. The “full early-access” version will initially be invite-only and exclusively available through Specs’ Mac app. Interested individuals can sign up for the waitlist now.
Daniel Mercer
