WhatsApp is developing a personalized AI avatar generator that will allow users to imagine themselves in various settings, from forests to outer space, using a combination of user photos, text prompts, and Meta’s AI Llama model.
Key details of the upcoming feature: The in-development “Imagine” AI feature was spotted in the latest WhatsApp Beta for Android and is expected to generate personalized avatars for users:
- Users will need to take photos of themselves once to train the Meta AI to produce images in their likeness.
- Avatars can be generated by typing “Imagine me” with a description of the setting in the Meta AI chat or by using the command “@Meta AI imagine me…” in other WhatsApp conversations.
- The feature will be optional and require manual enablement in WhatsApp settings, with the ability to delete reference images at any time via Meta AI settings.
Timing and rollout considerations: WhatsApp is still in the process of introducing AI-powered features, suggesting a cautious approach to launching the new avatar generator:
- The Meta AI chatbot is currently being rolled out, alongside real-time AI image generation for US users.
- No specific timeline has been provided for the general availability of the Imagine AI selfie feature.
- Meta’s previous issues with generative AI tools may contribute to a more measured release strategy for the new avatar generator.
Broader context and implications: The development of the personalized AI avatar generator aligns with the growing trend of AI-powered features in messaging and social media apps:
- WhatsApp’s Imagine feature bears similarities to popular AI avatar generators like Lensa AI and Snapchat’s “Dreams” selfie feature.
- The integration of generative AI capabilities into WhatsApp highlights Meta’s continued investment in AI technology and its potential to enhance user engagement and experiences within its platforms.
- As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, concerns around privacy, security, and the responsible use of user data may come to the forefront, necessitating clear communication and robust safeguards from companies like Meta.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...