WhatsApp has jumped on the AI chatbot bandwagon – here’s how it works
Google who?
WhatsApp has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered function, enabling users to ask Meta AI question within the app.
The aim is to offer a search function without having to swap between apps or open a browser.
Ask Meta AI has already been rolled out to some users of the English-language version, alongside beta users in India.
The AI is activated using the search bar within the Chat menu, where instead of searching for messages or contacts, users can ask a question.
Some of the suggested prompts to use with Meta AI, which appears to work in a similar way to ChatGPT, are ‘Teach me all about K-pop’, ‘How to avoid burnout’, ‘5 veg protein stories’ andor ‘Imagine paradise’ and ‘Tell me a scary story’.
The feature is available on both iOS and Android, and it’s only a matter of time before it will be rolled out to all users.
Revealing the update on their website, the WABetaInfo team said: ‘It is very important to mention that this integration operates independently from the privacy of private conversations within WhatsApp.
‘What users type into the search bar always remains private and is not shared with Meta AI unless a prompt is intentionally sent to the Meta AI chatbot. The topics suggested by Meta AI through the search bar or the Meta AI conversation are always randomly generated and are not influenced by user-specific information.’
They also noted that the search bar still functions for its primary purpose, allowing users to search for chats, messages, media, and contacts within the app.
How to use Meta AI
Early indications suggest there are two ways to use Meta AI.
Screenshots and information shared by WABetaInfo show the search bar within the Chat menu is also powered by MetaAI, meaning users can simply type their question in directly.
However, WhatsApp has also shared how to use Meta AI in a chat:
- Tap the plus button
- Tap New AI Chat. If prompted, read and accept the terms
- Select Meta AI or another character. Select a suggested prompt or type your own
- Tap the send button
To use Meta AI in a group chat:
- Open the group chat you’d like to use AI in
- Type @ in the message field, then click Meta AI
- If prompted, read and accept the terms
- Type your prompt
- Click the send button. AI’s response will be displayed in the chat
To reply to an AI message:
- Hover over the AI message, then click the down button and Reply
- Type your message
- Click send
WhatsApp said the AI will only read and respond to messages that mention @MetaAI and will not access or reply to any other messages in the group chat.
It appears you can even generate images using Meta AI by typing in ‘@/imagine’ and typing in what kind of image you want, and update previously generated images by replying to the image with a new text prompt.