WhatsApp Introduces AI-Powered 'Quick Recap' Feature for Summarizing Group Chats

WhatsApp will now summarize your messy group chats

WhatsApp is introducing an AI-powered "quick chat recap" feature, an optional tool utilizing private processing to generate rapid summaries of selected unread chats for users, according to WABetaInfo. This new functionality complements the existing AI summary feature, which consolidates all unread conversations. Unlike the current AI summary, the "quick recap" allows users to specifically choose which chats they wish to summarize, offering a more granular overview of unread messages without requiring individual chat access. Users can activate "Quick Recap" via the three-dot menu located in the Chats section of the application interface. The system leverages Meta AI for summary generation, employing private processing to ensure user privacy throughout the operation. Users are able to select up to five chats concurrently for summarization using this feature. The rollout has commenced for Android beta testers operating version 2.25.21.12 of the application.

WhatsApp Said to Be Developing Quick Recap Feature for Unread Messages

Chats with Advanced Chat Privacy enabled will not support this feature WhatsApp is developing a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered feature for its Android app which aims to make it easier to catch up with unread messages. As per claims by a feature tracker, it is currently testing the Quick Recap feature, enabling users to select a specific number of chats and get a summary of the most relevant unread messages in each one of them, presented in a detailed manner. In a report, WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo claimed that the feature is being developed for release in a future version of the Meta Platforms' messaging client for the Android platform. It was discovered on WhatsApp for Android beta app version 2.25.21.12. Following its rollout, WhatsApp users may be able to generate detailed summaries of multiple chats for catching up to unread messages easily. Based on the above screenshot, a new Quick Recap option will be added in the three-dot menu at the top-right corner of the screen. It is sandwiched between the Select all and Lock chats options. The feature reportedly enables users to select up to five conversations for a quick recap, providing a detailed summary of the unread messages in each one. The feature tracker claims it eliminates the need of going through each unread message in long threads. Quick Recap on WhatsApp reportedly leverages Private Processing -- a computing infrastructure which is built on top of Meta's Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). As per Meta, this prevents any first or third-party system from accessing the user data while it is being processed. The same reportedly applies to Quick Recap. However, it is said that conversation windows where Advanced Chat Privacy is enabled cannot be included in the upcoming feature. The feature tracker claims it is completely optional and is disabled by default. Once rolled out, users can enable it by navigating to the app settings. As per WABetaInfo, the Quick Recap feature on WhatsApp is still under development and is not available even to beta testers registered via the Google Play Beta programme. There is no information about its possible release timeline.

WhatsApp testing Quick Recap tool to summarise unread chats using AI: Here's how it may work

All summaries will be processed securely using end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp has been adding a slew of new features to make its user interface more functional for users all across the world. Now the reports state that Meta's instant messaging platform is working on a new AI-powered feature called Quick Recap that will allow users to generate concise summaries of unread messages across multiple chats. According to the Wabetainfo report, the new feature was spotted in Android version 2.25.21.12. The company reportedly aims to catch up on conversations more efficiently without scrolling through long message threads. Unlike the previously tested private message summaries for individual chats, Quick Recap will let users select up to five conversations and receive a combined overview of the most relevant unread messages. As per the report, the feature will use Meta's Private Processing technology. This means that data will be handled in a secure and encrypted environment, and neither WhatsApp nor Meta will have access to original messages or summaries generated. The report further added that the summaries will be processed within a privacy-preserving enclave, and the entire process remains end-to-end encrypted. Also read: X outage: Hacker group claims cyberattack, Musk hints at coordinated nation-level attack The report also states that the feature will be completely optional and will be disabled by default. If the users want to enable it, they will have to move to App Settings. It is also worth noting that the chats that are protected by the Advanced Chat Privacy settings will be excluded from the Quick Recap feature. This aims to respect the choice of the users who have opted out of AI features. Speaking of how you can use it, the users will be able to start a recap by selecting chats from the main screen and tapping a new icon labeled Quick Recap. The summaries will then be generated shortly, offering a brief but informative snapshot of recent messages in the selected threads. Do note that the feature is not yet available to all users, but it is expected to be added to future updates in the coming weeks. However, the exact rollout timelines remain unknown.