WhatsApp Business is set to receive significant updates, including an artificial intelligence (AI) upgrade aimed at enhancing business communications.
During an event in São Paulo, Meta announced the rollout of a new AI-powered chatbot for WhatsApp Business. Additionally, the Meta Verified badge is now available for these users, with India being among the first markets to benefit from these features. The company is also testing a call functionality for business accounts.
In recent months, Meta has introduced chatbots powered by its Llama-3 AI model across platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger in various markets.
The new Meta AI chatbot for WhatsApp Business boasts all the capabilities of a large language model, including text-based responses and image generation.
According to a newsroom post by Meta, this AI assistant will be trained to answer common questions businesses receive on WhatsApp, allowing for quicker and more efficient customer service. This AI-driven tool will not only send pre-written responses but also provide intelligent assistance based on customer needs. Additionally, it can market products and services to potential customers.
The feature is currently being tested and will soon be rolled out in India and Singapore, followed by Brazil.
Meta has also extended its Verified badge to WhatsApp Business accounts, after its initial rollout on Facebook and Instagram. This badge, depicted as a white checkmark within a green starburst circle, will appear next to the business name, indicating that the business has registered its information with Meta and receives advanced account support. The Meta Verified badge will be visible on the WhatsApp Channel and the custom WhatsApp page for businesses.
The rollout has begun in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia.
In addition to the AI chatbot and Verified badge, Meta is testing a call functionality for WhatsApp Business accounts. This feature will enable customers to call larger businesses directly via WhatsApp, facilitating quicker resolution of issues and assistance with complex requests.
Meta has not yet specified a launch timeline for this feature.