WhatsApp for Android is reportedly developing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that will allow users to create personalised AI characters directly within the app, according to a feature tracker. This functionality is said to resemble similar AI character creation tools available on Instagram and Messenger. Users will reportedly be able to customise their chatbot by describing its personality traits and area of focus through a text prompt, with the AI generating a profile picture and bio.
Additionally, a dedicated tab to manage these AI characters is also in the works.
WhatsApp New Feature: What Do We Know?
The feature tracker, WABetaInfo, spotted this functionality in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.1.26 update. However, since it is still under development, it is not accessible to beta testers at this time. Similarly, a separate tab for AI characters was noted in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.1.24 update, which also remains unavailable.
Screenshots shared by the tracker suggest that the feature may utilise AI Studio to create new AI characters, either starting from scratch or using a pre-existing template. According to the images, users will be able to type up to 1,000 characters to define the traits and focus areas of their custom chatbot. The interface and functionality closely mirror those seen in other Meta-owned platforms.
At the bottom of the screen, WhatsApp has introduced description suggestions to give users inspiration or a starting point for crafting their AI character’s profile. While only the first step of the process is visible in the shared screenshot, if it aligns with the AI Studio setup on Instagram or Messenger, the subsequent steps are likely to involve generating an image and bio for the AI chatbot, along with setting its privacy preferences.
Another screenshot reveals that WhatsApp may include a dedicated tab specifically for managing AI characters. This new tab could display all the chatbots created by the user, as well as other public AI characters. However, it remains unclear if the AI bots created on WhatsApp will be accessible or integrated across other Meta-owned platforms.
