I gave Muse access to my personal data, and now I know why personal agents are probably going to change the world
My first experience with Meta's AI agent was better than expected.
In an unprecedented move, the author of this article granted the AI-powered personal agent, Muse, access to their personal data, including their Gmail account. This decision was not taken lightly, as the author was aware of the potential risks involved. Muse, an avatar named Charlie, was introduced to the author as a proactive, always-on AI assistant that aimed to assist with tasks such as managing email, scheduling events, and finding deals.
Muse's unique selling point was its proactive nature, constantly looking for ways to help and ensure the user stayed on task, on time, and missed no crucial details. Unlike other AI assistants, Muse operated independently, without requiring explicit commands from the user. This level of autonomy raised concerns for the author, leading to a significant leap of faith in trusting Muse with their personal data.
The author acknowledged their trepidation, stating that granting Muse access to their data felt like strapping on a parachute and jumping from 14,000 feet. However, Meta provided assurances regarding data privacy controls, including a Secure Credential Store and oversight to prevent risky behavior by the AI agents.
Despite initial skepticism, the author decided to test Muse's capabilities by asking the AI to check their inbox for any missed important messages. To their surprise, Muse identified three emails worth their attention, including a Google security alert, a change in their cell service account, and an embargoed communication product email from a PR rep. Muse's summary of the last email proved to be invaluable, offering a concise and useful overview that the author found helpful.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
