Breaking news

WhatsApp Launches New AI Tools for Businesses

Meta’s WhatsApp app has announced the launch of AI tools to help businesses. 

KEY FACTS 

  • Meta launches its first targeted ad program for businesses on WhatsApp. 
  • CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new tools in a video that was shown during a conference in Brazil.
  • The innovation marks a change for WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service that excels in the privacy of communication between users and avoids the use of targeted advertising tools that are part of other Meta products such as Facebook and Instagram.
  • During the conference, Meta also unveiled a new AI chatbot that answers business inquiries directly in chat. The chatbot will help users with common queries, such as finding catalogues or consulting about opening hours.
  • With the innovation, Meta aims to monetize its popular chat service. 
  • The social network has been rolling out in-app commerce and payment features for several years, including “business messaging” options that companies can use to serve customers and send promotional materials to people who have shared their phone numbers with them.
  • New AI tools will analyze behaviour on Facebook and Instagram to send targeted messages to those users who would receive them, provided customers use the same phone number on their accounts.

THE BIG NUMBER

Approximately $22 billion. This is the amount for which the WhatsApp app was acquired by Meta in 2014. Globally, the app has over 2 billion users and is Meta’s largest app in that regard. However, despite the service’s popularity, WhatsApp has so far contributed only a small fraction of Meta’s total revenue.

Kuwaiti Ambassador Advocates For Strengthened Ties Between Cyprus And GCC Nations

The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Cyprus, Abdullah Musaed Al-Khorafi, has underscored the vital need to deepen dialogue between Kuwait, Cyprus, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, as well as the broader Arab world. He made these remarks during a luncheon held at his Nicosia residence on February 4, which brought together key diplomatic figures.

The event was hosted in honor of Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, and was part of a series of high-level diplomatic gatherings organized by the Kuwaiti Embassy in Cyprus. Among the attendees were the ambassadors and heads of Arab diplomatic missions in Cyprus, as well as representatives from the U.S. and Swiss embassies.

Ambassador Al-Khorafi took the opportunity to lead an expanded discussion on pressing regional and international developments, focusing particularly on the Middle East. Topics included the ongoing crises in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, with a strong emphasis on how these events affect regional stability.

The luncheon also served as a platform for talks on enhancing cooperation between Cyprus and GCC countries, as well as broader Arab nations. The discussions highlighted opportunities to strengthen ties in key sectors such as education, culture, trade, investment, and tourism. The aim is to build closer connections between people and foster mutual benefits.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Al-Khorafi stressed the importance of promoting dialogue at both governmental and societal levels, not only between Kuwait and Cyprus, but across the entire GCC and Arab world. He expressed his gratitude for the presence of President Demetriou, noting that her participation symbolized Cyprus’ commitment to advancing relations with Kuwait and its regional partners.

President Demetriou, in turn, thanked the ambassador for his hospitality, reflecting on the fruitful discussions and shared goals for enhancing Cyprus’ relations with Kuwait and the wider Arab world. She reaffirmed the importance of cooperation and strategic partnerships between Cyprus and the GCC countries, especially in areas of mutual interest and concern.

This meeting, according to Demetriou, was a testament to the strong diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Kuwait, as well as the ongoing efforts to broaden and deepen ties with the Arab world.

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