Meta releases Muse, its first consumer AI agent, as Engadget outlines setup and privacy steps

According to Engadget, Meta designed Muse to require no technical experience, part of an effort to make it more accessible than agents from other platforms. Meta's VP of AI Products Vishal Shah told Engadget that Muse can "build its own software," allowing it to handle more complex, multi-step tasks. The agent is separate from the existing Meta AI app and has its own iOS and Android apps and website. Users do not need a Facebook or Instagram account, but they do need a Meta account. On the web, Engadget said, logging in required only a phone number, and Muse already had relevant accounts linked. After logging in, Muse asks users to rename it and lets them change its avatar.

Engadget's guide recommends checking Muse's settings before doing much else. In the data controls section, users can deselect "help improve our AI models" to opt out of allowing Meta to train its models on their interactions with Muse. In the permissions tab, users can change how often the agent must ask for permission before acting. Meta's default is for Muse to "ask for some actions" that require access to the web and third-party services. Meta has said its internal safeguards are meant to make Muse ask for permission when "consent matters" and act on its own in more "low-risk" scenarios. Engadget notes that this requires trusting Meta's AI to distinguish what is actually low risk, and that Meta has warned Muse can and will make some mistakes. Users can switch the setting to "always ask" and revisit it later if there is too much friction.

Muse can function without connecting to other services, but Engadget says users will be limited in what they can do if they do not connect third-party apps. The connectors tab in settings shows which apps Muse can access. Engadget's author granted access to Spotify and OpenTable because those seemed relatively low risk, noting that any damage from bad playlists or a wrong dinner reservation would be easily contained. Engadget also notes that some people set up a dedicated Gmail account for their agent so it can have email access while remaining separate from a primary inbox. Meta says Muse can access any service with a public API, though some steps may have to be done manually. Engadget said that when asked about connecting to Notion, Muse walked the author through setting up a connection via that app.

If users want Muse to make purchases on their behalf, they must link a credit card in the wallet section of settings. Engadget reports that the connection is facilitated by Stripe so Muse never gets access to a full card number, and that Muse is meant to check in before actually making a purchase. Meta still advises that there is at least some risk. "Muse may take unexpected actions. Monitor it carefully," the company says, according to Engadget.

What users can do with Muse depends on what they want to accomplish and how comfortable they are giving it access to other services. Even if Muse is connected only to other Meta apps, Engadget says there is still a good amount users can do. The author started cautiously with tasks related to Facebook and Instagram activity. Like many people, the author saves many videos and posts on Instagram but rarely returns to them, including many recipe videos.

Editor's Summary

Meta's Muse is a consumer AI agent that can perform tasks across the web and connected services, with settings for data training, permissions and third-party access. Engadget's guide says users should review privacy controls, connectors and payment access before use, and Meta warns the agent may take unexpected actions. The release expands consumer access to AI agents while placing more responsibility on users to manage permissions and payments.