How can new AI features for Meta's WhatsApp Business help users?

At the global Conversations event in São Paulo, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the introduction of new AI-powered features for WhatsApp Business apps, aimed at enhancing customer engagement and interactions for businesses. These updates are part of Meta’s broader vision to create a variety of AI assistants tailored for different purposes, including business applications.

**Key Features:**

1. **AI-Driven Customer Support:**
   - Meta is testing AI-driven customer support features designed to automatically handle customer queries about catalogues or frequently asked questions. This is currently being trialed with select merchants in India and Singapore, with plans to expand to Brazil soon.

2. **AI-Powered Ads:**
   - Businesses can now use AI to create Facebook and Instagram ads that initiate WhatsApp chats. This integration aims to streamline customer interactions and facilitate commerce through the messaging platform.

3. **AI-Generated Messages:**
   - Meta emphasized that AI-generated messages will be clearly marked, ensuring customers know they are interacting with an AI, not a human representative.

4. **Targeted Messaging:**
   - WhatsApp Business will leverage AI for targeted messaging, allowing businesses to send specific messages to subsets of their customer base rather than broadcasting to all subscribers. Meta's Ads Manager will also provide recommendations for audience segments likely to respond well to tailored messages beyond just order updates.

5. **Cost-Free Tools:**
   - Meta is offering these AI tools for free to help merchants avoid additional expenses associated with purchasing similar tools.

These new features are designed to help businesses quickly deploy AI agents that can engage with customers, provide support, and facilitate transactions, thereby improving overall customer engagement and operational efficiency  .