WhatsApp rolls out Meta AI-powered message summaries in the U.S.

A couple of weeks ago, WABetaInfo spotted signs that Meta was gearing up to bring AI-generated summaries for WhatsApp messages. Today, the feature is officially live for users in the U.S. Here’s how to use it.

Summarization is perhaps one of the most useful applications of generative AI, especially when it comes to quickly catching up on transactional information. Which is why, provided it’s well-implemented, using AI to condense notifications and group chats can genuinely save time.

Which is why starting today, WhatsApp users in the U.S. will be able to get a quick AI-generated recap of unread messages in any chat, making it easier to catch up, without scrolling through every meme, joke, or long-winded scheduling dispute.

According to WhatsApp, the feature is entirely private, with neither Meta nor WhatsApp able to access your messages or the summaries themselves:

“Message Summaries uses Private Processing technology, which allows Meta AI to generate a response without Meta or WhatsApp ever seeing your messages or the private summaries. No one else in the chat can see that you summarized unread messages either. This means your privacy is protected at all times. For those interested in learning more about the technical details behind Private Processing, we invite you to read our engineering blog and technical whitepaper.”

AI summaries are off by default

In addition to the privacy safeguards, which always come up when it comes to user data and AI, WhatsApp is also addressing broader concerns around consent and transparency:

“That’s why using Private Processing features like Message Summaries is optional, and they are off by default. You can choose whether or not to use them, and can use Advanced Chat Privacy to select which chats can be shared for AI features.”

For now, summaries are only available in English, and are limited to users in the United States. WhatsApp says broader language and regional support is coming later this year.

Via MacMagazine