Meta's new 'optional' AI chatbot for apps like WhatsApp is causing controversy

Salesforce software engineer, Jayant Tyagi, directs his voice message to ChatGPT via WhatsApp rather than opening the app or going online in order to obtain quick responses.

As a WhatsApp user, he prefers to access ChatGPT directly instead of installing another app, as it is quick and efficient.

WhatsApp has become a hub for users to interact with AI chatbots from OpenAI, Perplexity, and Meta AI, along with Meta's assistant, as users worldwide navigate the platform's diverse AI capabilities.

A Novel Era of Communication

According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the biggest platform for Meta AI use is WhatsApp, which is used by more than 3 billion people worldwide. The app is turning into an AI free-for-all as competing chatbots vie for users' attention. The billions of users Meta AI hopes to win over may find it more difficult to become the default option as a result of this competition.

Likewise, Vispi Bhopti, Meta spokesperson, stated that over a billion users utilise Meta AI across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, with WhatsApp being the most popular. Bhopti anticipates people will experiment with multiple AIs.

Moreover, OpenAI has made ChatGPT available on WhatsApp as part of its accessibility mission, aiming to reduce barriers for new AI users. Besides, Perplexity's chatbot, launched in spring, handles over a million queries daily on the app, with demand so strong that it briefly crashed at launch.

OpenAI & Perplexity Integrate with WhatsApp

WhatsApp Business Platform allows rival chatbots to connect to the platform, allowing larger businesses to pay Meta to send messages to people asking to receive them, generating over $1 billion a year. This allows rival AI companies to tap into WhatsApp's global audience without Meta's explicit approval.

Additionally, WhatsApp's reach is particularly valuable in emerging markets like India and Brazil, where it serves as a primary communication tool and internet gateway. Companies like OpenAI and Perplexity can expand their presence in these markets without requiring users to download separate apps or sign up for new services.

In addition, WhatsApp is becoming an AI marketplace, with chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity competing for attention within the app. Users can access these bots by saving their official numbers in their contacts and starting a chat without signing up. Both allow users to ask questions, generate images, and interact with voice notes.

WhatsApp Offers Various Benefits

WhatsApp users are using AI chatbots to combat misinformation, particularly around politics. Meta AI is being used to “bust fake videos” in group chats. Perplexity CEO Srinivas has urged users to forward misinformation to the chatbot for fact-checking instantly.

Notably, Perplexity has introduced AI chatbots through WhatsApp, addressing issues with misinformation in forwarded messages. These chatbots can work even on flights, as many airlines restrict in-flight Wi-Fi to basic messaging apps, allowing users to access them midair.

Furthermore, power users are increasingly using chatbots in WhatsApp for casual tasks, such as rephrasing messages, while using Meta AI for more accurate content. Perplexity is used for retrieval-based tasks like news article links, while ChatGPT is used for serious writing or deeper work.

Eventually, Meta's growing AI mix in the app may make it difficult for users to lock into its assistant, but users are content with the chatbot's ability to perform tasks regardless of its location.

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