Harry Males in Hardware On 06/07/2024

Chatbots to be introduced in WhatsApp – accessible for corporate clients of M**a

Meta Plans Free AI Chatbots for WhatsApp

Social media giant, Meta, aims to allow companies to launch free artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbots on its messaging platform, WhatsApp. The move heads up their strategy to cash in on the Messenger app and AI developments.

Meta’s AI strategy

Meta is known for its unique AI model distribution strategy. Large language models and chatbot development tools are given out for free, a move that investors find unimpressive due to the consistent surge of the company’s spending on AI. Meta forecasted its AI expenses to hit $10 billion in 2024 during its latest quarterly report, causing the company’s share price to drop by 10%.

Monetizing WhatsApp in major markets

Despite investor concerns, the company’s efforts to monetize the messaging app in countries like Brazil and India have shown promising results. The introduction of fees for WhatsApp Business Platform – a mechanism allowing businesses to interact with customers via the app – has been a significant revenue stream. The firm reported in February 2023 that ad sales leading to WhatsApp reached an annual rate of $10 billion. By April, Meta had generated an additional income of $380 million for the quarter, mainly from the WhatsApp Business Platform.

Infusing AI into WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp was purchased by Meta (then Facebook) in 2014 for $19 billion. While WhatsApp’s revenue, against the backdrop of Meta’s total income of $113 billion in 2023, seems modest, plans to boost sales in this segment are unfolding. A recent Conversations event in São Paulo revealed plans to expand the number of businesses that can leverage AI in communicating with clients through WhatsApp. The use of AI chatbots will better manage the influx of information from customers. We can expect the launch of a Portuguese-language Meta AI chatbot in July as Brazil, along with India, is a major market for WhatsApp. WhatsApp Business users will also be able to utilize AI for advertising. Meta predicts that this will attract new clients, contributing to an overall revenue surge.

This post was last modified on 06/07/2024

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Harry Males: Hey there, I'm Harry Males, your go-to news writer at Dave's iPAQ, where I traverse the intricate landscape of technology, reporting on the latest developments that shape our digital world. With a pen in hand and a passion for all things tech, I dive deep into the realms of Software, AI, Cybersecurity, and Cryptocurrency to bring you the freshest insights and breaking news. Artificial Intelligence is not just a buzzword for me – it's a captivating realm where machines mimic human intelligence. From the wonders of machine learning to the ethical considerations of AI, I'm dedicated to keeping you informed about the advancements that are reshaping industries and everyday life. Beyond the bylines and breaking news, I believe in fostering a community of tech enthusiasts. Whether it's engaging in discussions on forums, attending tech conferences, or sharing insights on social media, I aim to connect with readers who share a passion for the ever-evolving world of technology.