Samsung and Glance team up to launch AI-driven lock screen ads, using selfies to personalize fashion offerings on Samsung phones, enhancing user engagement.

In today’s digital age, an individual might unlock or glance at their phone numerous times daily, transforming the lock screen into a coveted spot for advertisements. Glance, an ad tech company, has been capitalizing on this space for years, offering ad-driven lock screen experiences. Now, in partnership with Samsung and embracing the capabilities of AI, they are introducing an innovative "AI shopping" experience that leverages selfies to craft personalized fashion advertisements. This novel offering is set to be implemented on various Samsung phones over the next month.

Glance has a longstanding history with non-AI lock screen experiences, having featured on several phones from manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola. Previously, Glance attracted users by promising aesthetically pleasing images and news alerts, which came bundled with advertisements and tracking functionalities. The latest Glance AI feature enhances this by incorporating an intriguing, albeit potentially disconcerting, face-capturing aspect.

The AI-driven Glance will be available on Samsung phones as both a separate application and a fully integrated lock screen option. Importantly, this service is entirely opt-in, ensuring that users who do not wish to engage with Glance can continue utilizing their phone’s standard lock screen.

Credit: Glance

For those willing to venture into the realm of AI-powered shopping, Glance requires a selfie and some general body type information. With this data, it utilizes Google Gemini and Imagen technologies to generate fashion advertisements explicitly tailored to the user, presenting images that reflect the individual "in outfits and settings [they] would never imagine." Users have the option to purchase these AI-curated fashion selections with a simple tap, thereby contributing to Glance's revenue.