WhatsApp to let users build their own AI chatbots to use in the app

WhatsApp is getting its own version of OpenAI’s Custom GPTs, Google Gemini’s Gems, and so on. These are custom-made chatbots that can be created without a single line of code and with whom the user can have conversations afterward.

Here’s how it’s going to work.

According to WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), the feature is currently rolling out to a small number of WhatsApp beta testers on iOS and Android. It introduces a new section called “AI Studio,” which walks users through the creation of a personalized assistant, a fun character, etc.

Previously, if you wanted to create an AI assistant to use across Meta’s platforms, you had to go through the web-based Meta AI Studio, or use Messenger or Instagram. Now, WhatsApp is set to get that too.

The app’s upcoming AI Studio is designed to be approachable for users with no technical experience:

“The creation process is structured as a guided flow directly from the AI Studio screen, making it easier to follow even for users with no technical background. The process starts with users selecting a role for their AI, which could range from a study coach to a travel assistant or even a motivational companion. They then choose a personality style and tone, such as calm and thoughtful, energetic and funny, or professional and informative. Based on these choices, WhatsApp offers smart suggestions to help shape the AI’s behavior and conversational style.”

Chatbots will be private by default, but users will have the option to share them via a unique link, much like OpenAI and Google’s counterparts.

And speaking of OpenAI’s GPT Store, although it didn’t catch on the way the company hoped, it is still a good source for inspiration or for finding creative custom GPTs.

If Meta does something similar, it could really help make its case as to why people should be interested in features like this.

When is it coming?

Again, this feature is still in development and hasn’t rolled out for testing yet. But the presence of strings for it in the latest beta versions suggests that it’s getting closer to launch, adding to what has been a busy few weeks after it finally got an official iPad app, and started testing usernames.