Industry experts say WhatsApp’s new AI writing assistant positions it ahead of rivals by offering privacy-first message rephrasing, tone customisation, and clarity improvements.
WhatsApp is testing a new AI feature for iOS users that provides real-time writing assistance.
Known as ‘Writing Help’, the tool suggests alternative phrasings, adjusts tone, and enhances clarity, with all processing handled on-device to safeguard privacy.
The feature allows users to select professional, friendly, or concise tones before the AI generates suitable rewordings while keeping the original meaning. According to reports, the tool is available only to a small group of beta testers through TestFlight, with no confirmed release date.
WhatsApp says it uses Meta’s Private Processing technology to ensure sensitive data never leaves the device, mirroring privacy-first approaches like Apple’s Writing Tools.
Industry watchers suggest the new tool could give WhatsApp an edge over rivals such as Telegram and Signal, which have not yet introduced generative AI writing aids.
Analysts also see potential for integration with other Meta platforms, although challenges remain in ensuring accurate, unbiased results across different languages.
Writing Help could streamline business communication by improving grammar, structure, and tone accuracy if successful. While some users have praised its seamless integration, others warn that heavy reliance on AI could undermine authenticity in digital conversations.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!