WhatsApp introduces Meta AI widget for home screen AI access

This feature is currently being rolled out to Android users participating in the WhatsApp beta program.

illustration: TechBird

WhatsApp, the ubiquitous messaging platform, is enhancing user experience by integrating Meta AI directly onto Android home screens. This new Meta AI widget for WhatsApp provides seamless, instant AI access, placing powerful AI capabilities at your fingertips. Currently, this feature is rolling out to Android beta testers on version 2.25.6.14.

Insights from WABetaInfo, a trusted source for WhatsApp beta updates, reveal that the widget offers three convenient shortcuts. Screenshots demonstrate that users can quickly "Ask Meta AI" via a dedicated icon, share images directly with Meta AI, and utilize voice commands for hands-free interaction. A key advantage of this WhatsApp AI widget is its customizable size, allowing users to tailor it to their preferred home screen layout.

Image: WABetaInfo

This move underscores Meta's commitment to expanding its AI footprint. Beyond the widget, WhatsApp is also reportedly developing a standalone app for Meta AI. This strategic push reflects the company's ambition to capitalize on the burgeoning AI trend, a dominant force in today's tech landscape. Following Meta AI's 2024 integration across Meta's family of apps—WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger—the company continues to broaden its AI initiatives, including its recent foray into integrating Meta AI with Ray-Ban smart glasses.

To experience the Meta AI home screen widget, users must be enrolled in the WhatsApp Android beta program and running version 2.25.6.14. As this feature is currently exclusive to beta testers, broader availability will follow in due course. It's important to note that access to Meta AI is subject to regional availability, meaning even beta users may encounter limitations based on their location. This new WhatsApp AI feature represents a major step in making AI more accessible to millions of users, directly from their Android devices.