After an initial phase of limited testing in the US, Meta is now extending another round of limited testing for the Meta AI-powered chatbot on WhatsApp to various countries. This testing is available to those who install the latest updates of WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store and WhatsApp for Android from the Google Play Store.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Meta AI |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Availability? | Some users can now experiment with the AI-powered Meta chatbot by installing the most recent updates of WhatsApp for iOS and Android. |
| I have the same version but I don't have this feature, why? | This feature is available to select users in India as well as in specific countries around the world, and it's rolling out to more people over the coming months. |
| Thanks: | Sc, Spencer, and Adwaith Varma, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.8.10.73: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on a feature to announce new desktop apps! |
META AI
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.14 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to ask queries to Meta AI conveniently through the search bar. This feature was designed to integrate suggestions and prompts to facilitate user interaction with Meta AI directly from the search interface. This would have also enhanced the process of accessing AI-powered assistance, removing the need for users to manually navigate to the Meta AI chat to enter their prompts. It appears that Meta is now exploring additional methods for different users to engage with Meta AI, particularly from various entry points. After installing the latest updates of WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store and WhatsApp for Android from the Google Play Store, certain users may now experiment with enhanced access to Meta AI!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is currently in the process of rolling out Meta AI integration into the search bar for select users in specific countries who have their app set to English. Conversely, certain users in India now have the opportunity to explore an alternative entry point conveniently located within the top app bar to easily access the Meta chatbot. These are two different testing approaches aimed at evaluating user engagement and preferences regarding Meta AI accessibility, allowing WhatsApp to gather comprehensive feedback and optimize the Meta AI experience.
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. It's worth noting that the search bar still remains intact for its primary purpose, allowing users to search for chats, messages, media, and contacts within the app. This means that even without interacting with Meta AI, users can still search in their conversations for specific content with the same ease and privacy they've always had. As always, personal messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that neither WhatsApp nor Meta can see or listen to them, even with the Meta AI integration in place.
Meta just started limited testing of Meta AI on WhatsApp in different countries and it is available to some users who install the latest version of WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store and WhatsApp for Android from the Google Play Store. As additional info, it might be released to more people over the coming months.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on Twitter. You can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
Do you like this news? Please, let us know on X: we love hearing your feedback! If you're curious to see where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.
