WhatsApp users can soon set AI-generated profile picture

WhatsApp is working on a new tool to let users create profile pictures using generative artificial intelligence. The new tool will be a part of AI capabilities coming to the world’s most popular chat app following Meta’s announcement last year. A few users already have access to the Meta AI chatbot on WhatsApp, allowing them to ask questions and craft chat messages. However, the new AI-generated profile pictures could give users more ways to improve their WhatsApp experience.

AI features on WhatsApp

WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp watchdog, has spotted a new “Create AI Profile Picture” tool in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version, which is now available to testers. If you are a tester having the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.11.17 update, you can access the new feature to generate AI-powered profile photos. To create a profile picture, enter text such as ‘a cat wearing a cowboy hat’ or ‘an elephant riding a bicycle’.

These text prompts should be generic because AI cannot generate photos of a person who looks like you. However, the report said the new tool will let users create “unique and personalised images that reflect their personality, interests, or mood more accurately than a standard photo.”

How will AI profile photos help?

Personalised AI-generated profile pictures will also enhance user privacy by minimising the need to use real photos for display. Although WhatsApp now restricts users from screenshotting profile pictures, anyone with a different phone can click a photo of the profile picture. Using an AI profile picture will fix this loophole.

Another use of AI-generated profile pictures could be to keep people unsure of what photo to use in the profile from unnecessary pressure. They can simply create a profile photo from AI and use it as their display picture, allowing them to express their interest uniquely.

WhatsApp is currently testing AI profile pictures, meaning not everyone currently has access to the tool. The Meta-owned chat app, however, will likely release the feature in the coming weeks for Android and later for iOS. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also developing a tool to let users send AI-generated stickers in chats.