Meta's Muse AI avatar gets video chat in the US
Original: Meta says US users can now video chat with their Muse AI avatar
Why This Matters
Meta is betting personified AI agents will drive deeper consumer engagement than text or plain voice.
Meta has rolled out Muse Voice nationwide in the US, letting users video chat with their animated AI avatar, Muse, using new Realtime Avatar and Realtime Voice models announced at September's Connect conference.
Meta's Muse Voice feature is now available to all US users on mobile, web, and Mac, the company announced Thursday via blog post and X. First shown at Meta Connect in September, Muse Voice pairs the company's consumer AI agent with a customizable animated avatar — default nickname 'Jolly' — that uses 'subtle expressions and gestures' matched to conversation tone. Users can swap the avatar's appearance to resemble a person, animal, or other character. Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang announced the rollout on X, sharing a demo where his avatar, a fluffy white dog, advised him to add disclaimers to potentially risky memes. Unlike some rivals' voice AI, Muse doesn't see the user but listens and responds contextually. The video chat launch is a prelude to Meta's planned year-end release of a Tamagotchi-style wearable called the 'Muse Charm,' where the avatar will appear on a small screen and handle real-time tasks. Support for Meta AI Glasses is also planned.