New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- WhatsApp wants to become more than the place where people exchange messages, make calls and share updates. Its next phase could bring everyday activities, from paying bills to managing bookings, closer to the conversations where they often begin.

Kunal Shah, who took over as WhatsApp's global head in June 2026, has outlined a broader direction for the Meta-owned platform, putting artificial intelligence, financial services and simpler communication experiences at the center of its strategy.

In a post on X on November 10, Shah said his initial months at WhatsApp had been spent understanding what users wanted from a platform that has become part of everyday communication for more than three billion people worldwide....