Meta’s New AI Tool Sparks Controversy Among WhatsApp Users
A new artificial intelligence (AI) feature introduced by Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, has sparked controversy among users of the popular messaging app. The feature, called Meta AI, allows users to interact with a chatbot that can answer questions and provide information. However, some users have expressed concerns about the introduction of AI into the app and have called for the feature to be removed.
According to News Shopper, the Meta AI logo appears as a blue circle with pink and green tones in the bottom right of the Chats screen. By pressing on it, users can open a chatbot that is designed to answer their questions. The rollout of the Meta AI function has been added to the platform for UK users in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for Meta told News Shopper: “Whether you need to settle a debate in a group chat, or have a burning question you want answering on the side, you can now use Meta AI as your very own assistant through WhatsApp. Meta AI can only read messages you share with it. Your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp, can read, listen to, or share them.”
The spokesperson also noted that users can ask for recipe suggestions or “restaurant recommendations in a group chat for all to see.” However, despite Meta assuring users that the feature is “entirely optional” and that the company is “constantly listening to user feedback,” some users have expressed concerns about the introduction of AI into the app.
On Reddit, users have been discussing the new feature and some have called for it to be removed. One user wrote: “I don’t want AI to be part of it, but it’s hard for me to delete WhatsApp. Everybody I know uses it and will never consider an alternative, but I’m not happy AI is not part of it.” Another user said: “From now on [since Meta AI] I will be telling people to reach me on Signal and just refuse to use WhatsApp.”
However, despite the controversy, many users have noted that it would be difficult to leave WhatsApp behind. One Reddit user said: “With some family members it’s literally a matter of not being able to talk to them if we leave WhatsApp.” Another user added: “Everyone I know uses WhatsApp and none of them are tech savvy enough or care enough to switch to something different.”
WhatsApp frequently updates its features and says it will “continue improving and adding new functionalities over time.” In recent weeks, new features including updates to group chats, events, calls and channels have been added to the app along with ways to add music to a WhatsApp status and change the theme of a chat.
As the debate continues about the introduction of AI into WhatsApp, users will be watching with interest to see how Meta responds to concerns about the feature. For now, it seems that Meta AI is here to stay, but it remains to be seen how popular the feature will be among users.
The introduction of Meta AI into WhatsApp raises important questions about the role of AI in messaging apps and the extent to which users are willing to accept new features. As News Shopper reports, the controversy surrounding Meta AI is likely to continue, and it will be interesting to see how the issue develops in the coming weeks and months.
The development also highlights the growing importance of AI in everyday life and how it is increasingly being integrated into popular apps and services. With many users expressing concerns about the introduction of AI into WhatsApp, it is clear that there is a need for greater transparency and control over how AI is used in messaging apps.
For more information on WhatsApp and Meta AI, users can visit the WhatsApp website or check out the Meta AI page on Facebook.
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