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WhatsApp is adding new AI layers for users with the help of Meta AI and this new beta update shows how it will evolve in the coming months.
WhatsApp users are getting new AI tools with the help of Meta AI
WhatsApp’s latest beta update introduces two new features powered by Meta AI: an AI tool for creating group icons and a chatbot widget for quicker access. While these additions highlight Meta’s ongoing push to integrate AI into its platforms, they haven’t come without some controversy.
Meta AI Widget: Key Features
A new Meta AI widget that lets users communicate with the chatbot straight from their home screen is one of the main features of the most recent WhatsApp beta. This feature simplifies access to AI-powered help by eliminating the need to launch WhatsApp and find the chat.
The widget, which WABetaInfo first spotted, is currently being made available to a limited number of beta testers running the most recent version of Android (2.25.6.14). Without opening WhatsApp, it provides several features, such as voice mode activation, text-based AI questions, and even the option to upload photographs for AI analysis.
In addition, the widget can be resized by users to suit their preferences. However, only those who already have access to WhatsApp’s Meta AI feature can utilise it. With capabilities comparable to ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Meta AI, which is based on the company’s Llama big language model, makes WhatsApp a possible rival in the AI chatbot market. It is anticipated that the addition of a home screen shortcut would increase adoption, as millions of users are already interacting with Meta AI within the app.
AI-Generated Group Icons: Know More About It
AI-powered group icon generation is another new feature in WhatsApp’s most recent beta version. Group members can generate a distinctive group icon by simply entering a prompt; this feature is available to a select few users on Android beta version 2.25.6.10. Users can then choose their favourite image option from the many that Meta AI has generated.
There is now a fifth option called “Create AI Image,” which beta testers can activate by tapping the pencil icon while viewing a group’s current icon.
This feature aims to personalise group chats without requiring users to actively upload photos. However, reactions have been mixed. While WhatsApp’s strong focus on end-to-end encryption reassures some users, others find the customization options unnecessary. Critics argue that AI-generated visuals offer limited value compared to other potential AI-driven improvements Meta could introduce.
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