WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, has introduced a new feature that allows users to chat with an AI-powered chatbot. The chatbot, which is based on Meta’s Llama 2 language model and Microsoft Bing’s web search, can answer any question or provide platform-specific features, such as AI-generated visual effects for Instagram photos. The chatbot is currently available for beta testers and is expected to roll out to the stable channel soon.
The AI chatbot on WhatsApp can be accessed by tapping on a floating action button (FAB) that appears above the new message FAB in the Chats tab. The FAB has a distinctive design of a multicolor circle within a pale gray button, making it easy to spot. Tapping on the FAB will initiate a chat with the AI, which will greet the user and prompt them to ask anything or try some features.
The AI chatbot on WhatsApp is compatible with the beta version 2.23.24.26, according to WABetaInfo, a reliable source of WhatsApp news and updates. Some testers have also reported seeing the chatbot on the older version 2.23.24.23. The availability of the beta version on the Play Store suggests that the chatbot is nearing a stable channel release.
Read also: WhatsApp provides AI powered conversations in chats
What Can the AI Chatbot on WhatsApp Do
The AI chatbot on WhatsApp can do a variety of things, depending on the user’s query or request. Some of the possible interactions are:
Answering general questions: The AI chatbot can answer any question that the user might have, such as “Who is the president of France?” or “What is the weather in Tokyo?”. The chatbot uses Microsoft Bing’s web search to find the most relevant and accurate information from the internet and present it to the user in a concise and clear manner. The chatbot also provides the source of the information and a link to the original webpage for further reading.
Providing platform-specific features: The AI chatbot can also provide features that are specific to Meta’s platforms, such as Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. For example, the user can ask the chatbot to “Create a visual effect for my photo” or “Show me some funny memes”. The chatbot will then use Meta’s Llama 2 language model and AI-generated visual effects to create and display the requested content. The user can also save, share, or edit the content as they wish.
Generating creative content: The AI chatbot can also generate creative content, such as poems, stories, code, essays, songs, celebrity parodies, and more. The user can simply ask the chatbot to “Write me a poem about love” or “Make me a song like Taylor Swift”. The chatbot will then use its own words and knowledge to create and deliver the content. The user can also give feedback or suggestions to the chatbot to improve or modify the content.
Why the AI Chatbot on WhatsApp Matters
The integration of AI chatbot on WhatsApp is a significant step for Meta and its users. The chatbot can offer several benefits, such as:
Enhanced customer service: The chatbot can provide 24/7 customer support, answering frequently asked questions, resolving common issues, and directing users to relevant resources. This can significantly reduce response times, improve customer satisfaction, and lower operational costs.
Personalized interactions: The chatbot can personalize interactions based on user data and preferences. It can tailor responses, recommend products or services, and offer customized support, enhancing the overall user experience.
Increased engagement: The chatbot can also increase user engagement by providing fun and interesting features and content. The chatbot can entertain, educate, and inspire users, making them more likely to use WhatsApp and other Meta platforms.
The AI chatbot on WhatsApp is a testament to the power and potential of AI in enhancing the functionality and usability of everyday applications. Meta’s strategic moves in this direction exemplify the industry’s commitment to harnessing AI to improve the digital interactions of users. As these advancements continue, users can look forward to a future where AI seamlessly integrates into their communication and collaboration platforms, making tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
What is Llama 2?
Llama 2 is a collection of large language models (LLMs) developed and released by Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. LLMs are artificial intelligence systems that can generate natural language texts based on a given input or prompt. Llama 2 consists of pretrained and fine-tuned LLMs ranging in scale from 7 billion to 70 billion parameters. Parameters are numerical values that determine how the LLM processes and produces language. The more parameters an LLM has, the more complex and diverse its language generation capabilities are.
Llama 2 has several applications and features, such as:
Chatting with users on various topics and domains, such as general knowledge, entertainment, education, and more. Llama 2 can also generate creative content, such as poems, stories, code, essays, songs, and celebrity parodies, based on user requests or preferences. These chat models are called Llama 2-Chat and are available for free for research and commercial use.
Providing platform-specific features for Meta’s platforms, such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. For example, Llama 2 can create visual effects for Instagram photos, suggest memes or stickers for Messenger, or answer questions on WhatsApp. These features are powered by Llama 2’s language and vision capabilities, which enable it to understand and manipulate both text and images.
Enhancing customer service and user experience for Meta’s users and partners. Llama 2 can provide 24/7 support, personalized interactions, and tailored recommendations for users, as well as help businesses and organizations communicate and collaborate more effectively with their customers and stakeholders.
Llama 2 is an open-source project, which means that anyone can access and use its code and models for their own purposes. Meta also encourages researchers and developers to contribute to Llama 2’s improvement and innovation by sharing their feedback, suggestions, and modifications. Llama 2 is part of Meta’s vision to create a more connected and immersive digital world, where AI can augment and enhance human communication and creativity.