WhatsApp is currently in the process of developing a new image editing tool using artificial intelligence (AI) that will make it possible for users to edit their photos directly within the app. This new feature will allow users to make various edits such as changing backgrounds, adding effects, and resizing images on WhatsApp.
As reported by Android Police, AssembleDebug, a well-known app sleuth and developer, has identified the presence of new AI-powered editing tools in the latest beta version (v2.24.7.13) of WhatsApp for Android. Within the beta release, WhatsApp has introduced options like Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand in the photo editor interface.
Users will be able to access these new features when they are posting a status update or sharing an image with others. A sparkly icon resembling three stars has been added to the top row of the WhatsApp menu, alongside other basic photo editing options already available on the app. This trio of stars has become a recognizable symbol for AI across Meta-owned apps.
Upon tapping on the icon, users will be presented with three options: Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand. With the Backdrop feature, users can input a text prompt to change the background of their photos. The Restyle tool provides the option to alter the overall style of an image, offering users a fresh and artistic perspective. Additionally, the Expand feature enables users to enlarge the entire image, giving them the flexibility to adjust the size of their photos as needed.
While these AI-powered editing tools are not yet accessible on WhatsApp, it seems likely that they will be integrated into the app in the near future. In September, Meta revealed its plans to introduce a range of new AI features, including image generation and editing, across its platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. During Meta’s fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg indicated that he intends to utilize images shared on Facebook and Instagram for training the generative AI tools employed by the company.
Zuckerberg hinted at the vast amount of publicly shared images and videos on Instagram and Facebook, boasting that this data would be crucial for enhancing their AI capabilities and surpassing other companies in the field.