Meta introduces AI-Powered Message Summaries for WhatsApp

Meta is continuing to push artificial intelligence into its messaging ecosystem, announcing a new feature for WhatsApp that promises to help users navigate overflowing chat threads with minimal effort. The feature, aptly named "Message Summaries", uses Meta’s AI to condense long conversations into digestible highlights, offering a quick overview for those overwhelmed by unread messages.

Following closely on the heels of Meta’s controversial decision to introduce ads in WhatsApp’s Status and Channels, this update could be seen as a more practical and user-friendly enhancement. With group chats and busy threads often piling up, users can now opt to let the app’s AI summarize the conversation, eliminating the need to scroll endlessly through dozens of messages.

Naturally, concerns about privacy surfaced almost immediately. However, Meta was quick to address them, emphasizing that the new feature was built with user confidentiality in mind. According to the company, the summaries are generated using its "Private Processing technology", which is designed to prevent both Meta and WhatsApp from accessing either the original messages or the AI-generated summaries.

To back up its privacy claims, Meta released a detailed technical white paper outlining how the system operates securely. The architecture relies on what are known as Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs)—secure, isolated processing areas housed within servers equipped with hardware like NVIDIA H100 GPUs. When a user opts in to Message Summaries, their device connects directly and securely to one of these TEEs.

The process is designed to be fully encrypted. The user’s device sends the relevant message data to the TEE for processing, receives the summary, and the session ends with no data being stored. Even Meta’s internal systems and administrators are reportedly unable to access the content within the TEE.

At the heart of this secure system is a process called remote attestation. Before any data is transmitted, the user’s device requires proof from the server that the TEE is running the authentic, unmodified version of the software that Meta has registered with a third-party verifier, such as Cloudflare. Only if this cryptographic verification succeeds will the device proceed with the connection. This approach is intended to ensure that the TEE is not only secure, but also transparent in its operations.

Importantly, users remain in control of whether they want to use the feature. Message Summaries is turned off by default, and users can find the toggle within the "Advanced Chat Privacy" section of the app’s settings. From there, individuals can choose which conversations they want to include in the AI summarization process, if any at all.

Currently, the feature is being rolled out in English for users in the United States, with Meta planning to expand availability globally in 2026. Although still in its early stages, Message Summaries could mark a significant step in making WhatsApp more manageable for users dealing with high message volumes—whether from work, social groups, or event planning.

The development is part of Meta’s broader strategy to integrate AI across its platforms, from Facebook to Instagram to WhatsApp. While previous AI experiments have focused on content recommendations or smart replies, this new feature leans more into productivity, helping users better manage their digital communication.

Whether users embrace Message Summaries or remain wary of its implications remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Meta is betting on AI as the future of messaging—not just in how people write, but also in how they consume and process conversations. With privacy remaining a key point of debate, the success of this new tool will likely depend not only on its utility, but also on Meta’s ability to maintain trust.