The Verge tests Meta Muse, an AI helper that can shop for you

In short: A reviewer at The Verge tested Meta’s Muse, a new AI agent that can do tasks in a web browser, and found it worked best when buying things.

What happened

The Verge published a hands-on test of Meta’s Muse, an AI agent (a helper that can take actions for you, not just answer questions). Muse uses an on-screen character, described as a small bear avatar, and it repeatedly prompts users with ideas for how it can help.

In the review, the writer tried Muse on everyday tasks that people often put off, like dealing with a growing to-do list. The reviewer said Muse did a decent job with basic task handling.

But the strongest impression was Muse’s ability to move through online shopping steps and complete purchases. The reviewer described it as especially handy when a credit card transaction was involved. They also noted it was striking to watch the agent open and use browser windows to chase down requests (like having a personal assistant who can click through tabs for you).

Why it matters

Tools like Muse point to a future where you might delegate online chores, including shopping, to software. That could save time, but it also raises a simple question for regular people, how much control you want to hand over when money is on the line. If an assistant is very good at buying things, it may also make it easier to overspend unless there are clear checks, confirmations, and limits.

Source: The Verge AI