WhatsApp has launched a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create quick summaries of unread messages. This feature, powered by Meta AI, helps users catch up on messages without having to scroll through long chats, whether in personal or group conversations.

For now, the feature is only available to users in the United States and supports only the English language. However, Meta plans to expand it to other countries and languages later this year. With this new tool, users can ask Meta AI to summarise the messages in any chat. The AI will then provide a short list of bullet points showing the main updates or topics in the conversation. This will be especially helpful in busy group chats where messages can pile up quickly.

The AI summaries are created using something Meta calls “Private Processing.” This means that WhatsApp and Meta cannot see the messages or the summaries. The information stays on the user’s device and is not sent to Meta’s servers, ensuring the privacy of the chat content. Only the user who requests the summary can see it, no one else in the chat will know or be notified.

Importantly, this feature is optional. It will not be turned on automatically. Users will need to go into their settings, under Advanced Chat Privacy controls, to enable it. They can also choose which chats are allowed to use the AI summary feature.

Meta has also confirmed that its AI does not learn from the messages or the summaries it generates, and it does not save any of the content. This adds another layer of privacy and security for users. This AI-powered Message Summaries feature will keep things completely private. When a user asks Meta AI to summarise messages in a chat, no one else in the conversation will know.

Whether it's a personal chat or a group conversation, WhatsApp will not send any alerts or show any signs that a summary was requested. Meta has confirmed that using this feature is a private action, only visible to the person who asked for the summary. This ensures that users can quietly catch up on missed messages without drawing attention or disrupting the chat.