In its latest beta update, WhatsApp is reportedly unveiling an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot feature, accompanied by a dedicated button for convenient access. This AI chatbot, powered by Meta AI, was initially embedded within the contact list but has now been made more accessible with a small button on the home screen.
According to insights from a WABetaInfo report, the newly introduced button is positioned above the icon used for initiating new chats in the Chats tab. The purpose of this button is to streamline the process of opening AI-powered chats, providing users with enhanced speed and convenience.
The AI chatbot, first unveiled by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in September, is currently undergoing testing for a specific segment within the USA. However, in the initial beta release in September, the AI chatbot was somewhat concealed within the contact list, causing challenges in locating and starting conversations.
To address this, the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.24.26 has integrated a dedicated button on the home screen for quick access to the chatbot. Positioned just above the ‘New Chat’ button in the bottom right corner, the new button appears as a white square with a multicolored ring. Tapping on it swiftly launches the Meta AI chatbot. It’s important to note that AI chatbots are currently an experimental feature and have been rolled out in a limited capacity.
Despite the feature’s presence in the WhatsApp beta, it’s essential to clarify that its inclusion in the global release of the same version is not guaranteed. Additionally, the specific timeline for the broader availability of this feature remains undisclosed.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp has also introduced a new privacy feature named ‘Protect IP Address in Calls.’ This feature addresses concerns related to the app’s calling functionality, which previously relied on peer-to-peer connections, necessitating users to disclose their IP addresses to one another. With the ‘Protect IP Address in Calls’ setting in place, individual calls will now be routed through a server, concealing users’ IP addresses from each other. This update ensures improved privacy, aligning individual calls with the server-based relay already in place for group calls.
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