Meta positions muse as personal superintelligence, unveils new privacy layer and AI device

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Meta positions muse as personal superintelligence, unveils new privacy layer and AI device
Meta positions muse as personal superintelligence, unveils new privacy layer and AI device

At Meta Connect 2026, Mark Zuckerberg outlined the company’s vision for Muse as an always-on AI agent and introduced Muse Confidential VM and the compact Muse Charm device.

Meta is expanding its ambitions for artificial intelligence beyond conversational assistants, positioning its Muse AI agent as the foundation of a more personalised computing experience. Speaking at Meta Connect 2026 on September 23, CEO Mark Zuckerberg described a future in which users could rely on personal AI agents to understand their objectives, carry out tasks and work continuously on their behalf.

Muse was introduced by Meta earlier this month as a personal AI agent designed to perform tasks rather than simply respond to questions. It operates through a dedicated virtual machine, allowing the agent to interact with services and applications while keeping its associated data and credentials within a separate computing environment. Meta says Muse can assist with activities such as email, travel planning, online purchases and other day-to-day tasks.

At Connect, Zuckerberg positioned this capability as part of Meta’s broader pursuit of what he calls “personal superintelligence”. The company’s stated vision is to make increasingly capable AI available directly to individuals, with Muse gradually taking on more complex tasks and goals.

Privacy becomes a central part of the proposition

As AI agents gain access to increasingly personal information, Meta is also putting greater emphasis on how that data is protected.

Muse currently operates through Meta’s Muse Secure VM, a dedicated cloud computer that contains the agent and the user’s associated data. Meta says the system includes controls designed to restrict what the agent can do online and requires user approval for certain sensitive actions.

The company also announced Muse Confidential VM, which is planned for later this year. According to Meta, the system will use encryption and confidential-computing technology designed so that even Meta cannot access information stored within the environment. The company says the technology is already being tested with a limited group and is undergoing external security review.

Privacy is also being extended to Meta’s AI-enabled glasses. The company announced Private Processing, which runs certain AI workloads inside confidential virtual machines in the cloud. Meta says the approach is intended to allow personalised AI features while preventing Meta from accessing the underlying user data. Live translation is expected to be among the first features to use the system.

Muse moves closer to everyday computing

Meta is also broadening the range of tasks Muse can perform. The company announced computer-use capabilities for its Mac application, allowing the agent to interact with applications with user permission.

The company is expanding its ecosystem of commerce and service integrations as well, with announced connections involving platforms and retailers including Walmart, Best Buy, Sephora, Instacart and others. The broader objective is to allow Muse to move from providing recommendations to completing parts of a task for the user.

Meta has also said Muse is designed to remember information that users choose to share with it and use that context to make suggestions or assist with longer-running goals. Users can determine which services the agent can access and modify or disconnect those permissions.

Meta introduces Muse Charm

The company also revealed a new piece of hardware built specifically around Muse.

Called Muse Charm, the compact device is designed to function as a dedicated interface for interacting with the AI. Users can activate it through a fingerprint sensor and communicate with Muse without having to unlock a smartphone or open an application.

Meta is targeting a holiday launch in December 2026, although the company said the hardware is still being finalised.

The device reflects Meta’s broader strategy of taking AI beyond the smartphone. Alongside Muse, the company is expanding its AI glasses portfolio, bringing its personal AI agent to glasses and adding capabilities such as live translation and hands-free assistance.

From AI assistant to personal agent

Meta’s latest announcements point to a shift in how the company is approaching consumer AI. Instead of limiting AI to answering questions or generating content, Muse is being developed to operate across applications, services and devices and complete tasks with user authorisation.

The approach also places privacy and security at the centre of Meta’s personal AI strategy. As agents gain access to calendars, email, shopping accounts and other sensitive information, the ability to control permissions and isolate user data becomes increasingly important.

With Muse, AI glasses and dedicated hardware now forming parts of the same ecosystem, Meta is developing an AI experience designed not only to respond to people but increasingly to act on their behalf.

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