WhatsApp really hopes you want to talk with AI bots

Meta’s popular messaging app WhatsApp is testing a new design that gives prominent space to a suite of AI chatbots. The design, currently only accessible through the app’s Android beta, adds a dedicated tab for AIs on the app’s homescreen.

WABetaInfo spotted the change, which devotes one of WhatsApp’s four tabs solely to its AI features. It includes a selection of “Popular AI characters” to talk to, along with others organized by subject matter. Other AI-powered features within WhatsApp include AI-generated images and stickers and a search tool using Meta AI.

These AI tools and chatbots aren’t new to WhatsApp, though they’re only available in the US and certain other countries, and a limited selection of languages. They’re currently accessed through the app’s primary Chats tab, but this update looks to give them more prominence.

The app is also experimenting with expanding the range of AI bots by adding the option to create personalized AI characters, which WABetaInfo found in a separate beta update today. Meta already offers the ability to create custom AI bots, but only through an AI Studio on the Instagram website. Adding the option directly into an app is a significant simplification of the process.

The new AI tab replaces the existing Communities tab, though that functionality isn’t going anywhere. A previous beta version earlier this week introduced a “streamlined” version of Community creation within the Chats tab.

The WhatsApp beta is available through Google Play, though tester numbers are limited and the option to join is currently unavailable. We don’t know if or when the AI tab will be added to the app’s live build, but the change is likely to be limited only to those countries where the AI features are already available.

Frequently Asked Question

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a messaging app that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, share media files, and more, over the internet. It’s available on smartphones and computers.

Can WhatsApp be used with AI bots?

Yes, businesses and developers can integrate AI-powered bots with WhatsApp to automate customer support, answer common questions, process orders, and more.

How do I talk to an AI bot on WhatsApp?

To talk to an AI bot, you usually need to add the bot’s WhatsApp number to your contacts and then start a conversation. AI bots can then respond to your messages and assist you automatically.

What is the difference between a WhatsApp chatbot and a regular contact?

A WhatsApp chatbot is automated and uses artificial intelligence to respond to messages based on predefined rules or machine learning models, whereas a regular contact is a person who responds manually.

Is WhatsApp chatbot available for everyone?

Currently, AI bots on WhatsApp are mostly used by businesses, not individuals. You can interact with them if a business has set up a bot for customer support or other services.

How does WhatsApp use AI?

WhatsApp uses AI for things like spam detection, automatic message sorting, and filtering. Businesses can also use AI to power chatbots that help with customer service or marketing.

Are WhatsApp chatbots free to use?

It depends. While using a WhatsApp chatbot as a user is free, businesses may need to pay for API access to set up and maintain a WhatsApp chatbot service.

Conclusion

WhatsApp is a versatile messaging platform that can integrate AI bots to automate tasks like customer support, marketing, and more. While AI chatbots on WhatsApp are mostly used by businesses to enhance communication and service, users can interact with them by adding a business number and starting a conversation. As WhatsApp continues to evolve, the role of AI in improving user experience, both for individuals and businesses, is likely to expand.

Whether you’re using it for personal messaging or interacting with AI-powered services, WhatsApp is a powerful tool that combines convenience and innovation.

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