AI has got some pretty impressive skills these days.
One of its coolest party tricks is something known as AI subliminal messaging.
AI generated subliminal messages use AI image tools to blend a hidden word, logo or shape into a generated picture.
The result is an image with a subtle text caption that can go unnoticed without squinting the eyes or being far away from the image – hence the name: AI Subliminal Messages.
In this article, we’ll learn exactly what AI generated subliminal messages are and how they work, whether they actually do anything, some useful applications, and how you can go about making your own.
What Are AI Subliminal Messages?
AI subliminal messages use generative AI to subtly implant hidden words, logos, or imagery within a larger image.
Whether or not the technique is actually subliminal messaging is up for debate, but the name has stuck. A true subliminal message is meant to slip past your conscious mind, and these ones jump out the second you squint.
These images are made with Stable Diffusion, the open-source image model (and one of the better Midjourney alternatives), plus a ControlNet: an add-on that forces the picture to follow the shape of another image. The trend went viral in September 2023, when people found that a ControlNet built for artistic QR codes would happily bend spirals, words and logos into any scene (Vice).
A user provides the AI with a text prompt and a black-and-white mask image containing their target text or logo.
The model will then embed the mask image within the outlines of the generated image which was described by text prompt.
While the results may resemble subliminal messaging, the AI is simply following instructions to combine inputs as requested by the user. Even Hugging Face's Apolinário Passos told Vice the "subliminal message" angle is "a bit sensationalist".
How Do You Make an AI Subliminal Message?
Make a black-and-white image of your word or logo, then feed it and a text prompt into a free illusion tool like Spirals or IllusionDiffusion.
When I first tried these tools, the hype meant you'd often wait for your generations to run. IllusionDiffusion still runs on Hugging Face's shared free GPUs, so expect the odd wait at busy times.
To get started, make your base text or logo image with whatever software you have available – I used PowerPoint. The base image must be a white background with black text. Thick, bold letters show up best.
Spirals
Spirals is the easiest tool to start making AI hidden messages with. It’s free too.
Just go to the Spirals website, click on the spiral icon to upload your base image, input your text prompt, and execute the model.
Can’t see the message? Try squinting your eyes!
The drawback with Spirals is the lack of customization options. As you can see, the standard settings generate images that are super cool! But not really “subliminal”.
Spirals hasn't been updated since 2023, so if it stalls, jump straight to IllusionDiffusion.
IllusionDiffusion
IllusionDiffusion is another free tool that allows you to upload your image as an ‘Input Illusion’, adjust some basic parameters, and generate your AI subliminal message. It runs Stable Diffusion with Monster Labs' QR code ControlNet, and it's still up and running on Hugging Face.
The main thing you might want to adjust is the Illusion Strength slider. The default value is 0.8, the lower the value the more subliminal your subliminal messaging appears.
Can’t see the message? Try squinting your eyes!
IllusionDiffusion also features some advanced ControlNet options but I never had to use them.
Other Tools
Leonardo can pull off the same trick with the Pattern to Image option in its Image Guidance settings, though it only works with Leonardo's older SD 1.5 models.
If you're happy running Stable Diffusion on your own computer, load Monster Labs' QR code ControlNet into ComfyUI or Automatic1111 for full control over every setting.
Applications of AI Subliminal Messages
These so-called subliminal messages are mostly a creative novelty, but there are a few obvious areas where this cool technology can be applied:
Advertising
Hidden-word images make people stop scrolling to find the message, which is exactly what advertisers want. Apolinário Passos told Vice he doesn't expect brands to sneak logos into innocent-looking images to manipulate people, but he does expect ads with double meanings that reward a second look.
Behavioral Nudges
Organizations could hide a “Recycle” message in pictures or displays near trash and recycling bins. Just don’t expect it to change behavior on its own. Research on true subliminal messages finds small effects at best, and only when the message ties into a need people already have, like thirst (Scientific American). And because you can see these messages once you spot them, they work more like a visual puzzle than a secret nudge.
Market Research
Subliminal messaging has been tested for decades, with underwhelming results. The famous 1957 “Eat popcorn” cinema experiment was a gimmick, as its creator James Vicary later admitted (Scientific American), and a 1991 double-blind study found subliminal self-help tapes didn’t do what they claimed (Psychological Science). If you test these images, measure attention and recall, not hidden persuasion.
Personalized Messaging
AI is already being used for targeted messaging, content recommendations, and customer service. In platforms where AI understands user behavior or preferences, AI subliminal messages could be tailored to target individual users based on their likes and dislikes.
Entertainment and Gaming
AI is already being used in entertainment to write entire scripts, generate animations, and even power non-player characters (NPCs) in video games. These AI subliminal messages could add layers of meaning to movies, TV shows, or video games. Filmmakers and game developers could use them to hide Easter eggs or clues that contribute to the story or gameplay.
AI QR Codes
QR codes are widely used by businesses and organizations for reviews, contactless payments, and event check-ins. One area that this technology can be applied is by using AI QR codes to catch attention and lead to personalized landing pages or promotions. They’re made with the same kind of ControlNet.
Try scan this QR code with your phone!
Wrapping Up
AI subliminal messages are a creative way to hide text and logos in AI art. They won’t brainwash anyone (subliminal persuasion only works in narrow situations, if at all), but they’re great for posters, Easter eggs and scroll-stopping social posts.
Free tools like IllusionDiffusion and Spirals let anyone experiment with their own AI subliminal messages in a couple of minutes, and as the technology develops further, we may see more subtle and seamless integrations of text and imagery using AI.
