WhatsApp: Users may soon be able to have pictures examined and changed by AI
A beta version of WhatsApp with Meta AI allows users to ask questions about images and have them changed by artificial intelligence on request.
(Image: heise online)
WhatsApp is currently testing new artificial intelligence functions within the messaging app. A current beta version of WhatsApp allows users to have their images examined by an AI and, if desired, to change them. This allows objects in images to be identified or unwanted objects to be removed from images. Operator Meta Platforms offers a dedicated channel called "Meta AI" for this purpose, to which the images are sent with the corresponding questions or requests.
This is the second new AI function for the messaging app in just a few days, as another beta version of WhatsApp was recently released with an AI function for personalized avatars. This allows users to create avatars of themselves in the messenger in any environment they can imagine: "from the forest to outer space".
WhatsApp's new AI image function is likely to be based on "Imagine", Meta's AI image generator, which should also soon be integrated into WhatsApp, as a previous beta version (2.24.12.4) showed. The latest beta version 2.24.14.20 of WhatsApp now uses Meta AI's generative AI not only for image creation, but also for changes and more detailed examinations of other images.
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As a screenshot from WABetaInfo shows, Meta AI accepts images and responds according to the commands sent with them. Users can ask questions about the image, for example, to find out what or who is depicted there. The AI should also be able to provide contextual information, such as historical buildings or landmarks.
(Image: WABetaInfo)
Meta AI can also edit the images sent to it, whereby the change request is formulated in words. As WABetaInfo writes, the user retains control over the images so that they can be deleted at any time. It is not known whether Meta Platforms or WhatsApp stores the images sent and possibly analyzes them for its own purposes. After all, these conversations are also encrypted – as usual with WhatsApp.
These AI functions of WhatsApp are currently still under development and should be available to all users of the messaging app at a later date. However, Meta AI is not yet available in the EU and therefore not in Germany. This means that it will probably be some time before the image examinations and changes via AI within WhatsApp will also be possible in this country, even if they are available in North America.
(fds)