Meta's AI assistant Muse becomes most downloaded app in the US

Meta has launched a new type of digital assistant called Muse. Unlike a regular chatbot that you have to ask questions yourself, Muse is what is called an "AI agent": it can go online on its own and carry out tasks for the user without you having to steer every single step.

That could be, for example, booking a flight, comparing prices across websites, finding discount codes or watching for price drops on things you want to buy. Muse can also clean up your inbox and remember your preferences so that it comes up with suggestions on its own, for example making a shopping list from a recipe you have saved.

The assistant works via an app, through WhatsApp and on the website muse.ai, and it is expected to come to Meta's AI glasses later. Payments go through the payment service Stripe, and Meta promises that users' passwords and data are not handed over along the way.

Since its launch on September 8, Muse has become the most downloaded free app in the US, in both Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store. According to media reports, the app has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times, and in that period it has received more downloads than ChatGPT did when it came to mobile.

Not everyone is equally enthusiastic. Amazon has blocked Muse from its shopping platform, citing security and user experience. Analysts also point out that many consumers are still nervous about letting an AI make purchases on their behalf, partly because there have been examples of AI agents making mistakes.

For ordinary users, the launch means that more everyday tasks such as shopping and bookings may be automated in the future, but also that you have to decide how much you want to hand over to an AI that acts independently on your behalf.

What this means for you

Muse can make it easier to save time on things like shopping, price comparison and travel booking if you use it. If you want to try it, consider starting with small, harmless tasks so you can get a feel for how it works before you hand over payments to it. Remember that the app has so far launched in the US, so check for yourself whether and how it can be used here at home. If you are unsure about letting an AI make purchases for you, you are far from alone; it is a perfectly natural concern to take into account.