WhatsApp may soon let you add third-party AI agents to your chats: Here’s how it could work
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WhatsApp is testing a major AI feature that could change how you use chats Photograph: (Pexels)
WhatsApp is reportedly testing third-party AI agents that users could connect directly to the app. Each agent may get a separate chat, with up to five agents reportedly supported per account. The feature is currently limited to some Android beta users.
WhatsApp could soon let users connect third-party AI agents directly to the messaging app, potentially turning the platform into a place where people can interact with multiple AI services without leaving their chats.
The feature is reportedly being tested with a limited number of Android users. WhatsApp has not officially announced a wider rollout, so the feature could still change before reaching everyone. According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the functionality was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.35.3.
WhatsApp could support up to 5 AI agents
The reported feature introduces a new Agents section inside WhatsApp settings. Users could potentially add compatible third-party AI services and give each one a name and profile picture. The current testing reportedly allows up to five agents per account. Once an agent is configured, WhatsApp could generate an API key. Users would then enter that key into the service hosting the AI agent to connect it with WhatsApp. The exact setup could differ depending on the service. Users may also be able to generate a new key if they want to reset or reconnect an agent.
Each AI agent could get its own WhatsApp chat
After an agent is connected, it would reportedly appear in a separate WhatsApp conversation. That could make interacting with different AI services feel similar to messaging different contacts. Importantly, the reported feature has several restrictions. Third-party agents would not have access to a user's other chats, contacts or media. They also reportedly could not be added to group chats or WhatsApp Communities.
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What happens if you remove an AI agent?
WhatsApp could also give users control over their connected agents through settings. Users may be able to change an agent's name or profile picture, while removing an agent would disconnect the service from WhatsApp. Interestingly, the existing conversation history would reportedly remain. Users could potentially reconnect the service later by setting it up again and generating a new API key. For now, this remains a reported beta feature, not a confirmed public WhatsApp release. If Meta expands it, however, WhatsApp could become a much easier gateway for people to access different AI assistants from the same familiar chat interface.
