The new beta version of WhatsApp includes a feature that summarizes unread messages in a group chat using Meta AI. For now, it only works for English-language messages.
The beta version 2.25.18.18 of WhatsApp for Android includes a new feature that allows users to concisely summarize unread messages in a group chat. For this, WhatsApp uses Meta AI, as already noted by WABetaInfo two weeks ago. WhatsApp now also “formally” confirms the feature with a blog post.
AI summaries are first rolling out on a small scale in the United States. Support for more countries and languages will follow later this year.
According to Meta, the company has no access to the messages, even if the feature is enabled. Presumably, the feature currently only works with English-language messages, as Meta AI is not yet available in Dutch.
Summarizing unread messages
The new feature in the WhatsApp beta for Android is currently still in development. It allows users to have messages in group chats summarized by Meta AI, so they can understand what the conversation is about at a glance.
Although this may raise questions about privacy, Meta emphasizes that it cannot read the messages, even if the feature is enabled by users. This feature is displayed under the Private Processing option. Some beta testers already have access to the feature, while others do not. It can often take some time before the feature becomes visible in WhatsApp.
Meta AI is currently not available in Dutch, so it remains to be seen whether the WhatsApp feature will also be usable in our region. The feature does work for English-language messages.
Headwinds
Although WhatsApp, with three billion users, is still by far the most popular messaging app, it has been facing increasing headwinds lately. The decision by parent company Meta to start showing advertisements on WhatsApp was not well received. In its home country, the United States, the government even wants to ban its personnel from using the messaging app on their work phones.
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This article originally appeared on June 12 and was updated with the latest information.