WhatsApp is reportedly working on two AI-powered features aimed at enhancing user interaction within the platform.
Highlights
These include an AI Rewrite feature designed to modify messages in different styles and a two-way live voice chat function with Meta AI, allowing hands-free conversations with the chatbot.
Recent beta versions of WhatsApp for Android suggest these features are in development, though they are not yet available for public testing.
AI Rewrite Feature
The AI Rewrite feature, discovered in an APK teardown of WhatsApp for Android version 2.25.8.5, is expected to help users refine or modify their messages before sending them.
It reportedly appears as a floating action button (FAB) with a pencil icon, positioned above the send button. When selected, this button opens a text editor with multiple rewriting options, including:
- Funny – Adds humor to the message.
- Proofread – Corrects spelling and grammatical errors.
- Puns – Incorporates wordplay for a witty tone.
- Rephrase – Adjusts wording for clarity or emphasis.
- Sarcastic – Applies a sarcastic tone.
- Shorter – Condenses the message.
- Spooky – Gives the message an eerie touch.
- Supportive – Enhances the tone with encouragement and positivity.
This feature could enable users to tailor their messages to specific contexts, improving communication flexibility.
Two-Way Voice Chats with Meta AI
WhatsApp is also reportedly testing a real-time voice chat feature for Meta AI. Currently, interactions with Meta AI are limited to text-based queries, web searches, and image generation.
The new feature, spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.25.8.7, could introduce verbal conversations with the AI in a call-like interface. Users may be able to switch between voice and text modes for greater flexibility.
Potential functionalities of this feature include:
- Voice Mode Activation – Accessed via a waveform icon in the Meta AI chat interface.
- Multiple Voice Options – Users may have a choice of different AI voices, possibly varying in accent, tone, or energy levels.
- Transcription Services – Integration of text-to-speech technology, allowing conversations to be transcribed for later review.
- Background Conversations – The ability to continue AI interactions while using other apps.
- Mute Option – A control to manage voice interactions in noisy environments.
| Feature | WhatsApp with Meta AI | Google Gemini Live | ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation Method | Two-way voice chat initiated via a waveform icon; integrated within the messaging app. | Hands-free operation with voice commands; active even when device is locked. | Voice mode accessed within the ChatGPT interface; primarily text-to-speech based. |
| Voice Options | Likely to offer a set of predefined voices (details pending); designed for conversational use. | Offers up to 10 distinct voices with varying accents and tones. | Provides natural-sounding TTS with limited voice selection. |
| Contextual Understanding | Integrates Meta AI for contextual responses; supports switching between voice and text. | Excels in extended context retention, delivering fluent, continuous conversations. | Advanced conversation capabilities, though may require manual re-prompting. |
| Platform Integration | Fully integrated within WhatsApp, for both group and personal interactions. | Part of the Google ecosystem; available initially to Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android. | Integrated into ChatGPT, serving as an enhancement to its text-based interactions. |
| Additional Features | May include seamless switching between voice and text modes, with parental and user control options. | Supports dynamic voice selection and hands-free use with robust background operation. | Focuses on natural language output with high fidelity TTS, but lacks advanced voice customization. |
This hands-free engagement method bears similarities to Google’s Gemini Live and could contribute to advancements in AI-driven virtual assistants.
AI Integration Across Meta Platforms
These developments align with Meta’s broader strategy to integrate AI capabilities across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
Meta has previously introduced AI features such as chatbot interactions with celebrity voices and AI-generated content recommendations.
WhatsApp’s AI features have been gradually rolled out in different regions, with Meta AI recently expanding to markets such as Spain.
The AI assists users with tasks like answering queries, generating content, and personalizing recommendations based on user behavior.
User Reception
While some users appreciate the enhanced functionalities, others have expressed concerns about AI integration within messaging apps. This highlights the importance of offering user controls for AI features to ensure a customizable experience.
Meta previously introduced an AI voice chat feature in September 2024, allowing users to interact with pre-recorded celebrity voices using TTS.
However, this was not a fully interactive system like OpenAI’s ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode, which enables real-time, dynamic conversations.
It remains unclear whether WhatsApp’s upcoming voice chat will offer a similar interactive experience or function as an enhancement of prior AI-driven tools.
