TikTok is looking to integrate its own set of generative AI tools
with a new profile image generator currently in testing at the app.
TikTok is working on a new process that would enable you to create your own custom AI-generated profile images in-stream.

The generative avatar process of TikTok requires users to upload between 3 and 10 photos of themselves, from which TikTok's system can then generate a range of variations and styles of avatar image.

The process walks you through how to upload your selfie images, including notes on how TikTok will use, and delete, any pictures that you send it.
Particularly noteworthy within this text is 'Plus', which, as noted by Navarra, is what might be the future paid subscription offering by TikTok similar to Snapchat+.

It's not yet clear that this is the direction that TikTok is going to go in, but it may be an alternative revenue stream for the app, if, like Snapchat, it can get its add-on offerings right and provide functional tools like this that users will pay for.

Because, in this case, many TikTok users are probably already paying for similar generative AI tools, with various apps emerging in recent months which provide custom profile images like this. That seems like an easy market segment for TikTok to hone in on, which could also enable it to kick off its own AI ambitions and processes within the app.

Given the popularity of generative AI right now, led by tools like ChatGPT, every social media platform is looking at how they can incorporate such into their features, with LinkedIn and Snapchat already providing assistive elements built on OpenAI’s tools. Meta is also, reportedly, enamored with the potential of generative AI tools, while Twitter’s developing its own ChatGPT like system, overseen by chief Elon Musk.

TikTok is already using generative AI elements in its Effects House tools, and parent company ByteDance is developing text-to-video translation within its 'MagicVideo' project.
The company already has work underway, and so it's no surprise to see TikTok merge the generative AI elements into the app. It would be interesting to see if that is, in fact part of a larger subscription offering, and if so, what other AI tools could they introduce in that package.

There is no word from TikTok on a release date for its generative AI tools, but they do look close to public testing.