Meta launches exciting new WhatsApp AI features: AI-image generation and Meta AI chat [+ how-tos] | April 2024

Right now, it's testing its first AI capabilities in India and South Africa. These will likely be rolled out globally in the near future.

In fact, the Meta AI chatbot has been in beta testing for select users from November 2023. This is a larger rollout.

A Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch: "Our generative AI-powered experiences are under development in varying phases, and we’re testing a range of them publicly in a limited capacity." 

The news was celebrated on X and beyond (but this is just the beginning)

The 2 main new functions enabled for private WhatsApp users in India and South Africa (in its test phase) by WhatsApp AI are:

1. Generate AI images in WhatsApp chats 
2. Chat with Meta AI

Meta AI can help you out, directly in your apps, whether WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger or Instagram – if available in your country (Source: Meta)

Here's everything you need to know about the new WhatsApp AI tools and how they can improve your WhatsApp experience.

What is WhatsApp AI?

WhatsApp AI, introduced by Meta, is artificial intelligence (AI), brought into the WhatsApp app. It uses cutting-edge technology to enrich user interactions through intelligent automation, personalized responses and smart image generation.

The new features are designed to enhance both the functionality and engagement of the app, making interactions not just more efficient but also more meaningful.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, has already highlighted the strategic importance of WhatsApp, stating it is the 'next chapter' for Meta and a potential cornerstone for business messaging.

This initiative marks a significant pivot towards making WhatsApp a comprehensive platform for both personal and business communications.

The benefits of Meta's WhatsApp AI

What are the benefits of WhatsApp AI for users?

Some may be sceptical about AI and wonder if it could diminish personal interactions.

But Meta's aim is to ease people's lives by giving them the help and info they need, straight away, in an app they love to use, without needing to switch apps. Here are some more reasons the arrival of AI in WhatsApp is a good thing:

• No more fear of the blank chat bubble: let AI inspire you to write a message to friends and family – or, better, that school parents' group you need to inform about something.

• Save time: when you want to ask a question, you don't have to leave WhatsApp. Meta AI brings it all there for you. And with text generation, you save time phrasing the base of your message, leaving more time to make it better and continue the conversation. 

• Navigate WhatsApp more easily: ask Meta AI to find you something in WhatsApp that may usually take you quite a few taps to find.

• Get creative (and have more fun): create images that don't exist yet, just for you and your friends. Make them smile, feel loved... it's up to you.

• Perform common tasks: like set reminders and search for fun gifs.

How to use WhatsApp AI

Here, we cover the 2 key features: how to generate AI images in WhatsApp and how to chat with Meta AI.

They're both very simple and intuitive. Just follow these steps:

How to generate an AI image in WhatsApp

One of the most exciting introductions is the AI-powered image generation within WhatsApp. This feature allows users to create unique images directly in their conversations, adding a creative flair to chats, bringing a fun element into everyday conversations: 

1. Open a chat: Choose a contact or group to send an AI-generated image.
2. Access the feature: Click on the attachment icon (paperclip), and select 'AI Image' from the menu.
3. Describe the image: Type in a description of the image you want to create, for example, "a futuristic cityscape at sunset."
4. Create and send: Click 'Create', and after the image is generated, you can send it directly in your chat.

You can also simply chat with Meta AI and start a sentence with "Imagine..." to generate an image, as shown by India Today:

There's no image that Meta AI can't dream up for you (Source: India Today)

See more from Meta: How to generate an AI image in a WhatsApp chat

How to chat with Meta AI (@AI is all you need to know)

Here's how to summon the powers of the Meta AI chatbot (powered by Meta's own LLaMA – more on this below):

1. Initiate the AI chat: In any conversation, type "@AI" followed by your question or prompt
2. Interact freely: Engage in a natural conversation. The AI can provide explanations, suggestions, and even carry on a friendly chat
3. Ask questions: Ask for help with tasks like setting reminders, finding information, or translating languages directly in your WhatsApp chat

A glimpse at WhatsApp AI features in action, saving time and getting creative (Source: WhatsApp)

Meta AI includes options for shortcuts.

Type a forward slash and command, like /joke:, /imagine: or /story: and type your description after.

However, these aren’t really necessary since you can make the same requests in a conversational way, such as “tell me a story about depressed hamster who ran for mayor.”

How to use Meta's new AI chatbot that you can't avoid, Washington Post

What's the buzz on WhatsApp AI?

WhatsApp AI has been praised by several publications.

According to The Indian Express: "The integration of AI into WhatsApp is a game-changer, offering users a blend of convenience and innovation that enhances the overall user experience​​."

WhatsApp AI news announced in The Indian Express, April 16, 2024

The news in South Africa was announced by publications like MyBroadband, who focused on WhatsApp privacy.

WhatsApp AI news in South Africa announced in MyBroadband, April 16, 2024

The U.S. edition of TechRadar also reported the news:

TechRadar U.S. version reported on WhatsApp AI, April 15, 2024

We believe, though, that the inimitable tech publication, TechCrunch, was among the first to report the WhatsApp AI news, saying: "Meta has confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing Meta AI, its large language model-powered chatbot, with WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger users in India and parts of Africa. The move signals how Meta plans to tap massive user bases across its various apps to scale its AI offerings."

TechCrunch chose a picture of Mark Zuckerberg to announce the WhatsApp AI news on April 12, 2024 

A note on WhatsApp AI privacy

As always, when AI is involved, there have been concerns about the privacy of their messages.

WhatsApp is a company that's very conscious of these concerns and famously goes to great lengths to ensure end-to-end encryption of messages and that data privacy remains central to the app. See WhatsApp's full privacy policy here.

WhatsApp's own FAQ page mentions that the new AI tools are built with privacy in mind, ensuring that all interactions are encrypted and secure.

This commitment to user privacy is crucial, especially when integrating advanced technologies like AI into widely used applications. 

The most important thing to know is that your personal messages with friends and family are off limits. AIs can read what is sent to them, but your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted, so no one else, including Meta, can see them"About using AI on WhatsApp, WhatsApp

 

WhatsApp AI is powered by Meta LLaMA 

How does WhatsApp add AI to its app?

It's made possible thanks to Meta's LLaMA (Language Model Meta AI) tool.

Meta's LLaMA has nothing to do with the animal, but people online like to make the connection using (we assume) AI generated images (Source)

What is LLaMA?

LLaMA, or Language Model Meta AI, is a state-of-the-art language processing AI developed by Meta. It's designed to understand and generate human-like text, enabling more complex and nuanced interactions between users and AI on WhatsApp.

How does LLaMA enhance WhatsApp?

• Enhanced Interaction: LLaMA improves the AI's ability to understand context and respond in conversations, making interactions smoother and more human-like.
• Multilingual Support: With LLaMA, WhatsApp's AI can converse in multiple languages, providing a seamless experience for a global user base.
• Personalized Responses: LLaMA can tailor responses based on the conversation's history, offering personalized interaction that goes beyond standard automated replies.