WhatsApp adds AI tool to summarise unread messages

WhatsApp has announced the launch of a new feature called 'Message Summaries', which uses Meta’s artificial intelligence to summarise unread messages in a chat. The feature aims to help users quickly catch up on conversations without reading each message individually.

WhatsApp said in a blog post, “We’ve all been there – rushing between meetings, catching up after a flight without Wi-Fi, or simply having too many chats to catch up on. Sometimes, you just need to quickly catch up on your messages. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Message Summaries, a new option that uses Meta AI to privately and quickly summarise unread messages in a chat, so you can get an idea of what is happening, before reading the details in your unread messages.”

The feature works using Meta’s Private Processing technology, which the company says allows AI to generate responses without WhatsApp or Meta accessing the content of the messages or the summaries.

“Message Summaries uses Private Processing technology, which allows Meta AI to generate a response without Meta or WhatsApp ever seeing your messages or the private summaries. No one else in the chat can see that you summarised unread messages either. This means your privacy is protected at all times,” the company stated.

The rollout comes as Meta continues to expand the use of generative AI across its platforms. The new WhatsApp feature is optional and will be turned off by default, requiring users to enable it manually.

The announcement follows recent scrutiny of WhatsApp’s data privacy practices. The app was recently banned on U.S. House staff phones due to concerns over data handling, and questions have been raised in the past about message encryption and data-sharing practices.

Meta has positioned the new feature as a productivity tool, designed to support users managing high volumes of chat activity. The company has not provided a specific timeline for a full rollout.

 

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