WhatsApp gets quick access to AI assistants

Meta announced a few months ago during the Connect 2023 event that it was working on an in-app assistant for different platforms. The idea is similar to Bing Chat: you can ask questions or have a conversation with an AI assistant. This AI can also be given a unique personality based on famous people. Examples include a Dungeon Master character with Snoop Dogg’s face who helps you choose your own adventure game. It can be found in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.24.10.71.

In the Chats tab, there is a new button in the navigation bar, using which you can start an AI-based chat. Meta has plans to expand this further, but it’s currently only available to a limited group of users. The timeline for further rollout is unknown. You can open your AI chat instantly, without scrolling through the chat list to find previous conversations with your AI assistant. By placing the shortcut more clearly in the Chats tab, more people will start using it.

This is how you use WhatsApp AI Assistant

After starting the WhatsApp beta, go to the Chat tab and start a new AI-powered conversation. You can then view different AI characters and choose one. For example, the standard Meta AI assistant, which after startup gives you some suggestions about what to talk about, for example popular TV series, Netflix or a recipe for banana bread. If you ask the question, you will receive a detailed answer, indicating the source. Then you can continue the conversation as you wish.

If you want a certain type of person, that’s possible too. You can choose from categories like sports, pop culture, and advice. Each chatbot has its own personality. For example, cheerful Lev is an open-hearted mother, while grey-haired Leo offers career advice. If you’re looking for a best friend who knows all about advertising, Scarlett is the one for you. After chatting, you will find the AI’s previous conversations in your regular chat list, as if you had spoken with a real person. Chats can also be continued on desktop, but you should always start a new conversation on your smartphone.

Unfortunately, the WhatsApp for iOS beta is fully booked, but if you already have access to the beta, you can see if you can actually use the feature.