California (Web Desk) — WhatsApp has begun introducing a feature allowing iPhone users to chat directly with third-party artificial intelligence agents. The feature is currently available to a limited number of users.
In the beta version of WhatsApp, users can add an agent through the settings, while up to five agents can be linked to a single account. A name and profile picture can also be selected for the agent.
A provided API key is used to connect the agent to the relevant third-party service, and users have been instructed not to share it with anyone else.
After the connection is established, the agent appears in the chat list like a regular contact and can be used to prepare drafts, create notes or function as a personal assistant. According to WhatsApp, other compatible automated programs can also be connected to the system.
Under the privacy provisions, an agent can only read messages that the user shares with it. It will not have independent access to regular personal chats, contacts or media. However, conversations with third-party agents will not be end-to-end encrypted like regular WhatsApp chats.
The feature is currently being rolled out to a limited number of users in selected countries, while the relevant test version for iPhone is reported to be 26.37.10.70.