META LAUNCHES MUSE: YOUR AI AGENT THAT SHOPS, BOOKS AND NEGOTIATES

New Assistant Can Make Purchases, Book Travel and Send Emails

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Meta launched a new personal artificial intelligence agent called Muse on Tuesday, designed to carry out tasks for users rather than simply answer questions.

The US technology company said Muse can make purchases, book travel, send emails, fill out forms and negotiate on behalf of users.

Once given a task or broader goal, the agent can develop a personalised plan and continue working independently, including after users close the app.

Muse can return when circumstances change or when it needs approval. Meta said it seeks permission before sensitive actions such as sending an email or making a purchase.

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Secure Payments and Personalised Suggestions

Muse can complete online purchases through Stripe’s Link payment service, which can generate a single-use virtual card for an approved transaction while keeping users’ underlying payment details hidden from the agent.

The agent can also remember information users have previously shared and use it to make suggestions without being prompted.

Muse operates through what Meta calls a Secure VM, a dedicated virtual computer in the cloud with its own browser. This allows the agent to interact with websites and connected services.

A separate AI agent, called Sentinel, governs Muse’s access to the internet and connected services, determining whether an action can proceed, should be blocked or requires the user’s approval.

Users can choose which services Muse can access and what it is allowed to do within them. Meta said the agent cannot see users’ passwords or payment methods and provides an audit trail of its actions.

Privacy Concerns Surround Autonomous AI

Meta said conversations and data stored in Muse’s virtual machine are not shared with its advertising systems. Users can also opt out of having their interactions used to train Meta’s AI models.

The launch comes as AI companies face growing questions about the security and privacy risks of giving autonomous agents access to personal accounts and data.

US Launch, With Subscriptions for Heavy Use

Muse is initially available to people aged 18 and older in the United States through a dedicated app or WhatsApp. Support for Meta’s AI glasses is planned.

The service is free for most uses, while subscription plans for heavier use are priced at $20 and $100 per month.