Meta launched Muse on Tuesday as a personal artificial intelligence agent for users 18 and older, initially making the service available in the United States through a standalone app and WhatsApp. Unlike conventional AI chatbots that primarily answer questions or provide information, Muse is designed to take action for users.

The company says Muse can handle routine tasks such as sending emails, booking travel, and managing schedules, while also working toward larger goals. Users could ask it to develop a yearlong exercise plan, help establish a new business, or coordinate the resources needed to complete a project.

Once a user gives Muse a goal, Meta says the agent can create a personalized plan and continue working on it without requiring constant instructions. It can open a browser, fill out forms, and negotiate on a user's behalf. For sensitive actions, such as sending an email or making a purchase, Muse is designed to request approval before proceeding.

Meta is emphasizing security and privacy as it introduces the technology. Muse operates inside a dedicated virtual machine that houses the agent and the user's data. A separate security system, called Sentinel, monitors the agent's internet access and can require user permission before certain actions are taken.

Users also control which services Muse can access and what permissions it receives. Meta says the agent does not have direct visibility into passwords or payment information stored in its secure environment, and users can disconnect services or tell Muse to forget information it has learned.

The technology represents a broader shift in the artificial intelligence industry from chatbots toward autonomous AI agents. A traditional chatbot might help write an email, for example, while an AI agent is designed to understand the situation, determine an appropriate response, and potentially send the message itself.

For Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Muse is also part of a larger effort to develop what he calls personal superintelligence. Zuckerberg has described a future in which individuals have highly capable AI agents working continuously to assist with areas such as careers, finances, health, relationships and home management.

Meta says Muse is rolling out in the United States on iOS, Android and the web, with plans to bring the technology to AI-powered glasses in the future. The company says the service will be free for many everyday uses, with subscription options available for users who want additional capabilities.

The major question now is whether consumers will be comfortable giving an AI agent this level of access to their personal information, and whether they will trust it enough to let it act on their behalf.