WhatsApp appears to be developing an exciting new generative AI feature that will allow users to create personalized avatars of themselves in any imagined setting. This in-development feature was spotted in the new WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.24.14.7 by WABetaInfo and promises to enhance user experience with highly customizable avatars.
How it works
The feature will utilize a combination of user-supplied images, text prompts, and Meta’s AI Llama model to generate these personalized avatars. According to a screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, users can imagine themselves “in any setting from the forest to outer space.” The examples resemble those produced by other AI generators, such as Lensa AI or Snapchat’s “Dreams” selfie feature.
To create these avatars, WhatsApp users will need to “take photos of yourself once”, which will then be used to train Meta AI. This training will allow the AI to produce images in the user’s likeness in any desired setting. Users can then generate their avatars by typing “Imagine me” with a description of the setting in Meta AI chat, or in other WhatsApp conversations by typing “@Meta AI imagine me…”
User control and privacy
The new Imagine AI feature will reportedly be optional, requiring users to manually enable it in the WhatsApp settings before it can be used. Importantly, the reference images can be deleted at any time via the Meta AI settings, ensuring that users have control over their data.
Availability
There’s no indication yet of when the new Imagine AI selfie feature will be generally available. WhatsApp is still rolling out support for its Meta AI chatbot, alongside more general real-time AI image generation for users in the US. Therefore, it may take some time before the new AI avatar feature is launched. Meta appears to be taking a cautious approach given the issues seen with its previous generative AI tools.
Conclusion
The upcoming Imagine AI feature on WhatsApp represents a significant step forward in personalized user experiences. By combining advanced AI technology with user-generated inputs, WhatsApp aims to offer a unique and engaging way for users to create and share avatars. While the feature is still in development and its general availability is uncertain, it holds promise for adding a new dimension to how users interact on the platform.
As WhatsApp continues to integrate more AI-driven features, users can look forward to more innovative and personalized ways to express themselves digitally.
