WhatsApp is working on an AI-powered image editing tool that will allow users to edit photos within the app.
The popular Meta-owned global messaging app is reportedly developing photo-editing features that will allow users to change backgrounds, add effects, and resize images in WhatsApp.
According to a report by Android Police, well-known app/feature sleuth and developer AssembleDebug identified in new AI-powered editing tools in the latest beta release for Android (v2.24.7.13).
In the latest beta release for Android (v2.24.7.13), WhatsApp has rolled out the Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand options within the photo editor window.
The new features will appear when a user is posting a status update or sharing an image with someone.
A sparkle icon, which looks like a trio of stars, has been added on the top row of the WhatsApp menu where other options for basic photo editing are already available in the app. The trio of stars has become the recognized symbol for AI on the Meta-owned apps.
Once a user taps on the icon, it will display three options: Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand.
Using the Backdrop feature, a Whatsapp user can enter a text prompt for changing the background of the photo.
The Restyle tool will allow users to change the overall image — providing them with a tool to transform the style of their photos, giving them a fresh and artistic look.
Meanwhile, the Expand feature will allow them to enlarge the entire image, providing them with the ability to adjust the size of their photos as required.
The AI-powered editing tools are currently not available on the messaging app but it looks like the features may roll out on WhatsApp soon.
In September, Meta announced a suite of new AI features, including image generation and editing, would be launching across its apps including on Instagram, Whatsapp, and Facebook messenger.
And during his earnings call for Meta’s fourth-quarter results last month Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made it clear that he will use images posted on Facebook and Instagram to train his generative AI tools with.
Zuckerberg seemed to suggest that the “hundreds of billions of publicly shared images and tens of billions of public videos” on Instagram and Facebook were superior to other existing AI companies’ data sources.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.