Facebook has unveiled a suite of new AI-powered features aimed at enhancing user expression and engagement across its platform, particularly targeting younger users in an effort to boost relevance among Gen Z. The updates, rolled out on Tuesday, introduce animated profile pictures, photo-restyling tools for Stories and Memories, and animated backgrounds for text posts—marking a significant step in Meta’s strategy to modernize the social media giant’s appeal. One of the standout features is the new animated profile picture tool, which adds motion effects to static photos. Users can choose from a range of animations such as waving, forming a heart, or wearing a virtual party hat. The feature works best with clear, front-facing photos of a single person, and users can select images from their camera roll or existing Facebook content. Meta plans to expand the library of animation options throughout the year, offering more creative personalization. The platform is also introducing “Restyle,” an AI-driven tool that transforms user-uploaded photos in Stories and Memories. After uploading a photo, users can tap the Restyle option and either enter a text prompt or select from preset visual themes like anime, illustrated, glowy, ethereal, or cinematic. The tool allows customization of mood, lighting, color tone, and even background scenes—such as a beach or cityscape—enabling users to reimagine past memories with a fresh, stylized look. This feature leverages Meta AI to generate creative variations while preserving the original image’s essence. For text posts, Facebook is rolling out animated backgrounds via a new rainbow “A” icon. Users can now add dynamic visuals—like falling leaves, rolling waves, or floating stars—to their posts, making them more eye-catching in the feed. Seasonal themes are also in development, ensuring the feature stays fresh and timely. These updates come as Facebook faces ongoing challenges in attracting younger users. Despite having around 2.1 billion daily active users, the platform has seen a decline in engagement among teens and young adults, who increasingly favor platforms like TikTok and Instagram. To counter this, Meta has been investing heavily in AI and redesigning the user experience. Recent changes include a friends-only feed, the ability to use unique display names in Groups (similar to Reddit), and a revamped, more intuitive interface. Meta is also reviving older features like the “poke,” a playful way to get someone’s attention. A new dedicated button on user profiles now sends a notification when a poke is received, making the feature more visible and interactive. The integration of AI across these tools reflects Meta’s broader push to use generative technology to deepen personalization and creativity. By enabling users to transform photos, animate profiles, and stylize posts, Facebook aims to turn passive scrolling into a more expressive, engaging experience. While the company hasn’t disclosed exact rollout timelines, the features are being introduced gradually across devices. The success of these updates will depend on how well they resonate with younger audiences and whether they help Facebook reclaim its position as a dynamic, creative space. Overall, these AI-driven enhancements signal a strategic pivot toward fun, personalized, and visually rich interactions—key elements for capturing the attention of Gen Z and keeping Facebook competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.