WhatsApp Introduces Innovative AI Studio for Custom Chatbot Creation on Android

WhatsApp for Android is reportedly experimenting with a new artificial intelligence (AI) functionality that will enable users to craft personalized AI chatbots. According to a feature tracker, Meta is gradually making this feature available to a limited number of beta testers, with a wider rollout expected in the upcoming weeks. This functionality, which has already been introduced on Instagram and Messenger, allows users to define the purpose, characteristics, and even the appearance of their chatbot. Once the chatbot is set up, users can engage in private conversations with it.

WhatsApp May Allow Users to Create and Interact with AI Bots

As noted by the WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, Meta is introducing its AI Studio-based chatbot creation feature to WhatsApp. This new capability was identified in the WhatsApp beta for the Android version 2.25.18.4, which is available through the Play Store. With this update, the messaging platform is said to have launched the “Create an AI” functionality to a select cohort of beta testers.

From a screenshot shared by the feature tracker, it seems that the custom AI chatbot creation mechanism is akin to that provided on Instagram and Messenger. It is expected to be accessible through a new AI Studio tab, which will also host pre-existing chatbots that users can engage with.

WhatsApp’s custom AI chatbot
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

To develop a custom AI chatbot, users must start by crafting a prompt that outlines its function and intent. Users can provide detailed descriptions of their chatbot using a maximum of 1,000 characters. After that, they will need to choose the personality features of the AI. WhatsApp will recommend specific traits based on the input, but users are encouraged to add their own choices as well. Likewise, users will need to determine the role of the chatbot. Possible roles may include helper, mentor, teacher, etc.

Subsequently, users will select an avatar for the chatbot. WhatsApp will propose an avatar based on the provided details, but users are free to modify the image or generate a new one using text prompts. Once these steps are accomplished, the AI Studio will produce a new custom AI chatbot that users can start conversing with.

It remains uncertain whether WhatsApp users will be able to share their AI chatbots with others, but given that users on Instagram and Messenger can do so, it is likely to be a feature. The feature tracker pointed out that more beta testers would gain access to this functionality in the following weeks, though a timeline for a full rollout to all users is yet to be established.