Meta bets on AI agent Muse to catch up in AI race

Meta is making a significant push to bring artificial intelligence to a broader audience with Muse, a personal assistant designed to put AI capabilities in the hands of virtually anyone. The product represents the latest step in a multi-billion-dollar strategy overhaul aimed at revitalizing Meta's position in the AI race and catching up to rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Muse is described as a “personal AI agent” built to assist with everyday tasks and projects, such as online shopping, sending emails, and planning trips. Once a goal is set, Meta claims Muse can operate autonomously by opening browsers, filling out forms, and even negotiating on behalf of the user. For time-consuming tasks, Muse continues to work in the background after the app is closed, re-engaging the user only if something changes or if specific approval is needed, such as for making a purchase. The rollout of Muse will begin in the US on iOS, Android, and muse.ai, with integration into AI glasses expected soon. While the assistant will be free for most users, Meta indicated that paid subscriptions will be available for advanced features. The company has not yet specified the costs of these plans or the limitations for free users. Meta positions Muse as a first step toward agents that take on more labor, allowing people to focus on what matters most to them.