Meta has introduced Muse, an AI assistant designed to handle productivity-related tasks including email management, online shopping, trip planning, and content creation. The tool operates through a cloud-based virtual computer interface and can take autonomous actions on behalf of users across various platforms and services.
During testing, Muse demonstrated functional capabilities in several areas. When connected to email accounts, it successfully filtered and deleted thousands of promotional messages. After being linked to shopping platforms, it completed product searches and purchases based on specific criteria, and notably flagged additional items in the user’s cart before completing transactions. The assistant also showed ability to generate video content and create images, though its outputs revealed inconsistencies, including misspellings of app names and the generation of product mockups featuring competitor branding when requested.
A notable aspect of the testing revealed the extent of data Muse can access and compile about users. The assistant generated personalized news feeds incorporating information about the user’s location derived from shipping addresses, and it articulated detailed knowledge of user interests including specific hobbies and entertainment preferences. When questioned about its data sources, Muse indicated it accesses information through application programming interfaces that provide more granular data than what users can typically view themselves, distinguishing between visible user interface settings and underlying data structures available through technical access.
Meta stated that Muse is designed to exchange only necessary data with third-party applications and does not share user information with advertisers. However, the scope of personal information the tool can aggregate and utilize—even from sources not readily visible to users themselves—prompted concerns about the appropriate use of such capabilities. The company did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the specific data Muse can access from its platforms.
While Muse performed its intended functions adequately for routine tasks, the disparity between user awareness of available personal data and the tool’s actual access to such information presented as a significant barrier to user confidence in the platform.
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