WhatsApp has emerged as a pivotal platform for Meta AI, but users should know that they don't have to rely solely on this app to interact with Meta's AI chatbots. Meta has integrated its AI features across several of its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. This integration means that users often encounter the Meta AI button prominently displayed, making it easy to activate unintentionally. For those unfamiliar with the AI's capabilities, tapping the button out of curiosity is a common occurrence.
If you prefer not to engage with Meta AI as your primary choice for chatting with AI, you're in luck. WhatsApp, the world's most popular instant messaging app, allows users to communicate with other AI models as well. This is possible because WhatsApp utilizes phone numbers for its operations, enabling any AI company to assign a phone number to its chatbot and interact through the app. OpenAI was the pioneer in this space, introducing ChatGPT to WhatsApp a few months ago, and it's no surprise that other companies are following suit, such as Perplexity AI, which is keen on expanding its presence.
Recently, Perplexity AI's CEO, Aravind Srinivas, announced the availability of their AI service directly through WhatsApp. He highlighted the various features that users can expect, including providing answers, sourcing information, and generating images. Notably, he shared the dedicated phone number for Perplexity AI: +1 (833) 436-3285. Saving this number to your contacts allows you to initiate a chat with Perplexity AI on WhatsApp, making it accessible from anywhere in the world. Additionally, since WhatsApp is an end-to-end encrypted platform, your chat contents remain protected, though concerns about how data is managed on the other end persist.
Despite the appealing features of Perplexity AI, there are significant reasons to approach its use with caution. Recently, Srinivas indicated that the company’s forthcoming browser would track user activity to deliver targeted ads, raising serious privacy concerns. This method mirrors practices employed by giants like Google and Facebook, which could lead to the misuse of personal data. The idea of a personal AI chatbot collecting data for ad purposes is troubling, especially considering the potential for creating detailed user profiles.
Another reason to reconsider using Perplexity AI is that it does not rely on its proprietary AI models for responses. Instead, it utilizes external models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and X. This makes established alternatives like ChatGPT, Claude, Meta AI, and Grok more appealing for users seeking reliable AI interactions. For a better user experience, you might consider using the dedicated mobile or web app of Perplexity, or sticking with ChatGPT directly on its platform rather than through WhatsApp.
While there are valid concerns about privacy and data management, integrating AIs like ChatGPT and Perplexity into WhatsApp does offer unique benefits. Firstly, it allows companies to reach a broader audience, particularly in regions where users prefer social apps over traditional mobile or web applications. In some emerging markets, WhatsApp traffic may not count against monthly data allowances, making AI accessible without additional data costs. Furthermore, the convenience of chatting with an AI chatbot within WhatsApp eliminates the need to switch between apps, which is a primary reason Meta is pushing for Meta AI accessibility on the platform.
In conclusion, whether you choose to engage with AIs in WhatsApp, such as Meta AI or Perplexity AI, ultimately depends on your preferences and concerns regarding data privacy. While ChatGPT remains a robust option for many, the availability of competing models means that users have the power to select their preferred AI interaction method. For now, many users, including myself, find that accessing ChatGPT primarily through its web interface offers the best overall experience.
