WhatsApp is testing a New AI feature: How it works

WhatsApp has launched beta testing of a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that creates short summaries of unread messages in personal chats, groups, and channels. This feature helps users quickly understand lengthy conversations without reading every message. For now, it's available to a limited number of Android users in the beta version of the app, according to 9to5Mac. Here’s how it works, how privacy is ensured, and what to expect next.

What are WhatsApp AI Summaries?

The new feature, based on Meta AI, allows users to receive short summaries of unread messages. It is particularly useful for active group chats or channels where message counts can reach hundreds.

• How it works:
• When there are many unread messages, instead of the standard “X unread messages” label, a “Summarise with Meta AI” button appears.
• Pressing the button generates a brief summary of the conversation, highlighting key points.
• The feature works in personal chats, groups, and channels.
• Example: In a group discussing weekend plans, and you've missed 50 messages. The AI summary will tell you the meeting location, time, and participant list.

Purpose: To save time and simplify message management, especially in busy chats.

How to Enable the Feature

To use AI summaries, you need to activate Private Processing — a special WhatsApp setting for secure data processing.

• Steps:

1. Update the app to the latest beta version (2.25.18.18 for Android).
2. Go to Settings → Private Processing.
3. Enable the feature.
4. When the “Summarise with Meta AI” button appears, press it to generate a summary.

• Note: The feature is optional — you can disable it in settings or ignore the button.

Limitation: Currently available only to some Android beta testers. No release timeline for iOS or stable versions has been announced.

Privacy and Security

WhatsApp emphasizes that AI summaries are designed with privacy in mind:

• Data processing:
• Message content is not stored or linked to the user’s account.
• Processing occurs in an isolated cloud environment or locally on the device (in some versions).
• Summaries are deleted immediately after use.
• Encryption: Requests are sent through encrypted channels, and data is anonymized.
• Enhanced privacy: In chats with Advanced Privacy enabled, the feature is automatically disabled, excluding any AI interaction even with end-to-end encryption.
• Meta’s statement: Neither WhatsApp, Meta, nor third parties have access to message contents.
• Example: If you request a group chat summary, the system processes only unread messages, creates a summary, and then deletes the data without storing it on servers.

Trust: Users are skeptical about AI features due to data leak risks. However, Private Processing is comparable to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, enhancing protection.

Additional Feature: Writing Help

In addition to AI summaries, WhatsApp is testing another Meta AI-based feature — Writing Help. It helps improve messages before sending:

• What it does:
• Adjusts tone (e.g., makes text more polite or professional).
• Improves clarity and structure of the message.
• Example: Writing to a colleague but the message sounds too harsh? Writing Help suggests a softer version.
• Privacy: Uses the same secure Private Processing.

Status: Being tested in the Android beta version, release date unknown.

Who Can Use It

• Current availability:
• Only for Android beta testers (version 2.25.18.18).
• Requires enrollment in the beta testing program via Google Play Store.
• Limitations:
• Not supported on iOS (no information on release timeline).
• Language and regional support unclear (likely starts with English).
• Future:
• A broader release is expected in the coming weeks or months, but no exact date.
• Possible integration into iOS and the stable WhatsApp version.

How to Try It: Update WhatsApp to the beta version via Google Play and check Private Processing settings.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros
• Time-saving: Quickly understand long conversations.
• Convenience: Especially useful for active groups and channels.
• Privacy: Secure data processing with deletion after use.
• Optional: Can be disabled or ignored.

Cons
• Limited availability: For now, Android beta testers only.
• Skepticism: Not everyone believes in complete anonymity of processing.
• Language barriers: Unclear how well AI will handle non-English chats.
• Dependency on Meta AI: Some users avoid Meta services due to the company’s reputation.

Comparison with Competitors

• Apple Intelligence: Similar notification feature in iOS 18 but limited to premium devices. WhatsApp may reach a broader audience.
  • Telegram: No AI summaries but has powerful chat management tools (folders, filters).
  • Signal: Focuses on privacy but lacks AI features.

WhatsApp stands out for combining scale (2 billion users) with AI innovation but lags in flexible chat management.

What’s Next

• 2025:
• Expanding beta testing to more users.
• Likely rollout on iOS and in the stable version.
• Adding support for various languages, including Russian.
• Other AI features:
• Enhancing Writing Help for more scenarios.
• Potential AI tools like automatic translation or emotion analysis in chats.
• Competition: Telegram and Signal may respond with their own AI developments.

WhatsApp plans to integrate more Meta AI features while maintaining a balance between innovation and privacy.

Conclusion

The new WhatsApp AI feature, currently being beta tested on Android, offers a convenient way to handle unread messages through AI summaries. With Private Processing, data is processed securely, anonymously, and without storage. Although the feature is currently limited in availability, it promises to be a useful tool for active chats. However, privacy skepticism and limited access call for caution. Stay tuned for WhatsApp updates to try out AI summaries and Writing Help soon — they may transform how you manage conversations.