Security experts recommend disabling this feature in WhatsApp if it reaches you
Not long ago, WhatsApp introduced Meta AI, a new feature similar to ChatGPT, which appears as a multi-colored circle button in the chat bar. Of course, at the moment it is only available in a limited number of countries.
In short, if you don't know it, Meta AI is an intelligent virtual assistant integrated directly into WhatsApp, designed to facilitate and improve interaction with the service. It is capable of generating texts and images, as well as providing quick answers to all your doubts and inquiries, all without leaving the application.
With just the press of a button, users can start a conversation with the AI, and while it sounds great, this is where the problems begin.
Many tech experts recommend disabling Meta AI. The reason? It’s not because of privacy issues, as WhatsApp ensures that conversations with AI are protected with end-to-end encryption — although that issue also raises doubts. The concerns go the other way: from the possibility of receiving incorrect information to the impact it could have on your abilities as a creative human.
Either way, there are other reasons why people should think twice before using this AI. Below are four of the most relevant reasons why many tech experts recommend disabling Meta AI:
- Data inaccuracy : Meta AI can provide false information, even fabricated information. Taking their answers as fact is a common mistake people make. This is especially a problem when it comes to medical advice, for example.
- Generates distractions : This tool is another gateway to distraction. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, they represent a wide fertile field for distribution, and Meta AI is another option that helps avoid doing the really important tasks on a daily basis.
- Lack of creativity : Many users use AI as a creative tool, but in reality, like any technological system of this kind, the answers it provides have the same style and tone. Texts are similar to each other and images have a recognizable aesthetic. AI and other tools (such as design tools that provide templates, for example) are intended for nothing more than answering basic questions.
- Reducing novelty : By having the answers (whether they are correct or not) at their fingertips, people can put aside the natural curiosity of humans. AI is programmed to simplify analysis and concepts and save time. Reducing these elements can reduce the depth of discussions, and the impact is most profound for people going through a learning period.
With that in mind, WhatsApp gives you the option to deactivate it. The process is very simple: all you have to do is go into the conversation with Meta AI and delete it as you would any other chat.
It's important to note that "deactivating" Meta AI doesn't mean it disappears completely from your WhatsApp. The button will still be there, but by deleting the conversation, you're preventing the AI from accessing your previous interactions. If you ever change your mind, you can always start a conversation with it again.
Ultimately, the decision whether or not to use Meta AI is a personal one. As with any new technology, the important thing is to be informed, understand how it works, and decide if it fits what you need or think about these technologies.
If Meta AI has not yet arrived in the country where you live and you decide to use it by adding it to WhatsApp, it has an alternative that we announced a few weeks ago: Microsoft surprised us by making its artificial intelligence Copilot available on WhatsApp. Add it now as a friend without hesitation and ask it anything you want