WhatsApp Readying ‘Imagine Me’ Feature to Generate Personalized Images Using Meta AI: Report

WhatsApp, a leading instant messaging platform owned by Meta, is reportedly developing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature called ‘Imagine Me.’ This feature will allow users to generate AI-created photos of themselves. The development comes after WhatsApp expanded the rollout of its Meta AI chatbots in select markets, including India and the US. The ‘Imagine Me’ feature has been spotted in the latest WhatsApp for Android beta release, available through the Google Play Beta program.

Historical Context

The integration of AI into messaging platforms marks a significant evolution in digital communication. Historically, AI has been used in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and entertainment, to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been at the forefront of AI research and development. The company’s rebranding to Meta in 2021 signaled a strategic shift towards building the metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users. The introduction of AI features like ‘Imagine Me’ aligns with Meta’s broader vision of integrating advanced technologies into everyday digital interactions.

How WhatsApp’s New AI Feature Will Work

According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the ‘Imagine Me’ feature will be optional and will require users to upload a few reference selfies when they first opt into the feature. The latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.14.13 update includes references to this upcoming feature, although it is still in development and not yet available for testing.

A screenshot shared by WABetaInfo shows that users can activate the feature by typing “Imagine me” in the Meta AI chat window. This command can also be used in other chats by typing “@Meta AI imagine me.” The AI will then generate new images based on the uploaded selfies, allowing users to choose different backgrounds and locations, ranging from forests to outer space. This functionality is expected to help create customized stickers. Users will also have the option to delete the uploaded photos through the settings.

Meta AI and Its Expansion

Meta AI, which competes with ChatGPT, started rolling out in India last month. The chatbot, powered by Meta’s in-house Llama 3 large language model (LLM), is also available on other Meta platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. This expansion is part of Meta’s broader strategy to integrate AI across its suite of applications, enhancing user engagement and offering new functionalities.

Summary

• New Feature: WhatsApp is developing an ‘Imagine Me’ feature to generate AI-created photos of users.
• Beta Release: The feature is spotted in the latest WhatsApp for Android beta release.
• Functionality: Users can upload selfies and use commands to generate new images with different backgrounds.
• Optional Feature: The feature is optional and can be manually activated in settings.
• Meta AI Expansion: The feature is part of Meta’s broader AI strategy, with Meta AI already available on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
• Historical Context: The integration of AI into messaging platforms aligns with Meta’s vision of building the metaverse and enhancing digital interactions.

This information is crucial for students preparing for competitive exams as it provides insights into the latest technological advancements and their historical context, which can be relevant for current affairs and general knowledge sections.