Spotify's now ubiquitous "Wrapped" annual review isn't the only thing that filled social media feeds everywhere in 2022. Generative AI flooded our feeds on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and (even) LinkedIn, with art derived from text via apps like DALL-E and Wonder, and fantastical avatars produced from selfies created by the likes of Prequel and Lensa.
One app wants to go further, with a mission to help you become the best version of yourself possible. Nufa is an AI-powered body image app that helps you view your body the way it can be with proper diet and exercise.
Nufa allows users to transform their bodies in seconds with just the press of a button and then will deliver personalized training programs to help the user reach their desired outcome. The company says that its individualized training programs - a feature being added in the near future - are being developed with the help of renowned coaches and top-level athletes.
Nufa will soon offer motivation and workouts to help users achieve their desired body transformation, and track progress, keeping notes and photos in one place. The startup claims that with a combination of the AI-powered "goal image," a personalized plan, and constant progress notes, users stay motivated and strive for more, while also giving them the mental self-confidence they need to stay the course.
When going through my own transformation, many years ago, Tim Ferriss' "4-Hour Body" book was a significant and constant source of useful techniques, practices, and plans. One of the things I'll always remember is the suggestion to take a "before" photo as a body transformation motivator.
One of the main benefits of taking a before photo is that it serves as a visual reminder of the individual's starting point. By taking that “where it began” image, we have a reference point to compare our progress to and can see the physical changes that have occurred over time.
In addition to serving as a visual reminder, before photos can also provide psychological benefits. Seeing them can serve as a source of motivation and encouragement, as individuals can see how far they have come and how much progress they have made. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and help individuals stay committed to their weight loss goals.
Now, with Nufa's app, it is possible to add a predictive goal image to enhance the before photo's benefits. Psychologically, it is healthier to move towards pleasure than run from pain, and the release of endorphins experienced after a user sees their altered body can help them to make positive lifestyle changes, such as exercising, dieting, and sleeping better.
Will people use the generative AI aspect of Nufa to look better in dating apps? I can't imagine they won't. There are tens of thousands of words already written on the ethical and moral issues surrounding apps such as FaceTune, Peachy, and more being used in this way, so I won't repeat them here. In any case, no AI was used in my own "world's worst catfishing story" - if people want to lie, they'll lie.
But that aspect of the app is just one part of a much bigger story. The inspiration Nufa strives to provide its users is the beginning, but the upcoming customized plan, constant motivation, and ability to track progress are where the real magic happens, along with the user's own commitment to the process.