WhatsApp Is Working On New Personalized AI Avatar Feature

WhatsApp has been working on a new generative AI feature that allows users to create images based on their appearance. The new beta feature was discovered by WABetaInfo last week.

The recent update 2.24.14.7 has been available for selected Android users through the Google Play Beta Program. “What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on an optional feature to allow users to generate images of themselves using Meta AI, and it will be available in a future update!” said the update message according to WABetaInfo.

The new feature is under development and not yet available for beta testers. Only a few users got access, but WABetaInfo shared a few screenshots of what it looks like. Users get a pop-up message with the headline “Imagine yourself as anything” and the text “Take photos of yourself once, then imagine yourself in any setting from the forest to outer space.”

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.14.13: what’s new?

WhatsApp is working on an optional feature to allow users to generate images of themselves using Meta AI, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/3SE9pjOx6a pic.twitter.com/UtVhG0RROn

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 1, 2024

To get AI image creations Whatsapp users must type “Imagine me” followed by a description and the feature, powered by Meta’s AI model Llama 3, will provide AI images adapted to the prompt. As reported by WABetaInfo, this new feature requires users to opt in and they will be able to opt out and delete images whenever they want.

A few WhatsApp users have already shared their interests on social media and people have explored the possibilities and benefits it could bring. According to 9to5Google, “If you’re not able to get some professional-looking headshots for your WhatsApp profile picture, this may also be a good way to accomplish that.”

More details on how Meta will protect users’ information and images have not been provided. Most of Whatsapp’s new AI features are still in an early stage as the new Meta AI is also tested and is available only in certain countries.