Meta Platforms Unveils ‘Easy-to-Use’ Consumer AI Agent ‘Muse’; Most Features Free

[Financial News]


Meta Platforms unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) agent application called ‘Muse’ on the 8th (local time). It has the same name as Meta’s previously unveiled AI models for generating music and audio. The service is designed to be easy for ordinary users to use in their daily lives. It is seen as an effort to make AI agents mainstream rather than niche products.
Meta announced a new personal AI agent that day. It can shop online, reply to emails, and handle other tasks approved by users, such as booking airline tickets. The agent can be accessed through a dedicated app.
Meta is struggling to monetize its massive AI investment, which is expected to reach $130 billion this year. According to Meta, most of the features people need will be available for free. It will also offer subscription plans costing $20 and $100 per month for heavy users.
Meta is targeting general consumers. Anthropic and OpenAI have introduced agents capable of performing precise and complex computational tasks, but their products are focused mainly on software coding and enterprise applications. Consumer-oriented agents have received relatively less attention.
Alexander Wang, head of Meta AI, explained in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that Muse’s strength lies in packaging powerful technology in a way that makes it convenient for ordinary consumers to use.
Wang said Meta placed particular emphasis on preventing AI agents from accidentally leaking personal information or deleting important emails. He explained that each agent operates on a “dedicated computer in the cloud” that no other person’s agent can access. This, he said, completely blocks avenues through which another agent could trick Muse into disclosing users’ personal information. He added that a separate agent on the same device monitors the Muse agent and prevents it from accessing the internet unless authorized.
According to Meta, users can choose which apps to connect to the agent, including email, calendars, and fitness apps, and can control the level of access they grant. For email, users can choose whether the agent may only read messages or also draft and send replies on their behalf.
Once app connections are completed, the agent can book airline tickets, purchase movie tickets, compare prices online, and shop. However, Meta said the agent will always request approval before completing a payment.

[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter