WhatsApp will let you choose celebrity voices with Meta AI
What's the story
WhatsApp for Android is reportedly set to introduce a two-way voice chat feature for its in-app artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Meta AI. According to WABetaInfo, the new feature will allow users to interact with the chatbot using various voices of public figures. This development was discovered in the beta version of WhatsApp for Android 2.24.19.32 but is not yet visible to those enrolled in the Google Beta Program.
Voice diversity
Meta AI to offer diverse voice options
The upcoming feature is expected to offer several voices for Meta AI, each with unique pitch, tonality, and accents. This is similar to ChatGPT's existing Voice Mode that provides four distinct voices. The feature tracker has identified three voices with a UK accent and two with a US accent. Additionally, there will be four voices from public figures, potentially influencers or celebrities.
Past initiatives
Meta's history with custom AI chatbots
This is not the first time Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has experimented with custom AI chatbots. Last year, it launched several such bots on Messenger that were based on personalities of influencers and celebrities. The upcoming voice option could be an extension of this project and might be extended to other AI characters in the future.
UI details
User interface of Meta AI voice mode revealed
The user interface for the Meta AI Voice Mode on WhatsApp was also disclosed in a previous report. Once activated, this feature will display a bottom sheet with "Meta AI" written at the top and a blue ring icon in the center. The addition of public figure voices aims to enhance user engagement by making interactions more enjoyable and captivating.