WhatsApp tests new AI feature that edits images within the app

Meta Platforms is enhancing its Meta AI capabilities for WhatsApp with new AI feature that allows users to edit images on the platform. This comes as tech firms are increasingly enhancing product offerings leveraging AI to stay ahead of the competition.

Also read: Meta introduces AI-driven features to WhatsApp Business

A report from WABetaInfo sheds more light on the latest feature, which is part of Meta’s efforts to enhance user experience on its messaging app, WhatsApp. With this upcoming feature, users can manually share pictures with Meta AI, a functionality not yet available to the public.

The new feature cuts the need for third-party apps

The latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.14.20 is working on a way that enables Meta AI to interact with users’ pictures in many ways.

According to Digital Information World, the new feature is undergoing tests. The AI feature allows users to ask AI to identify objects in the picture, locations, or context about a picture’s content. This is in addition to editing images, which allows users to change their pictures directly from the WhatsApp chat by sharing a prompt. According to Talk Android, this means users can cut the need for third-party apps.

The Digital Information World indicates that while there isn’t much clearer information on the scope of the new feature, it “could definitely be a big hit, especially if it performs as promised.”

The report further suggests this new feature allows Meta to analyze and face-scan pictures uploaded.  A screenshot shared about the new feature indicates that users can however delete their images whenever they want from the system.

New features bring a newer version of WhatsApp

Although still to be trialed with beta testers, the latest feature could freshen the instant messaging platform.

The social media giant first rolled out its AI assistant last September, accessible via a dedicated button present at the top of the chats tab. Depending on the text prompts, this can create new images from scratch.

Now, with a single prompt and tagging Meta AI, users can leverage the new tool dubbed the Image With Meta to “roll pictures in one on chats.”

Also read: Meta AI expands to India amidst growing AI competition

But that’s not all from the social media platform giant as it thrives to be ahead of the competition in AI. Another tool, Reimagine, allows users to build pictures shared of friends in the group.

This comes as the instant messaging platform has been working on more image-based tools that allow its users to generate pictures using Meta AI.

WhatsApp recently indicated it was working on another AI-powered tool, “Imagine Me” that would enable Meta AI to generate users’ avatars based on a set of their photos. According to Talk Android, this tool gives users different imaginary settings like forests, allowing users to “spice up” their profile pictures.

Cryptopolitan reporting by Enacy Mapakame