Meta Expands Muse Voice Nationwide: US Users Can Now Video Chat With Their AI Avatar
Meta announced Thursday that Muse Voice — the feature that lets users call and video chat with Muse, its consumer AI agent — is now available to everyone in the United States.
Built on New Realtime AI Models
First introduced at Meta's Connect developer conference in September, the video chatting capability is powered by two new AI models: Muse Realtime Avatar and Muse Realtime Voice technology. Together, these models drive the animated digital avatar that converses with users in real time.
Meet "Jolly": A More Personable AI Agent
While competitors also offer voice chat, Meta's Muse distinguishes itself with a cute animated avatar nicknamed Jolly. Users can ask it questions or request tasks, and they can customize the avatar's appearance — transforming it into a person, an animal, or another character entirely.
Meta believes this anthropomorphic design can help consumers feel more connected to their AI agent — a bond that may deepen as users begin holding live conversations with it. As the Muse avatar speaks, the company says it will display "subtle expressions and gestures" that match the tone of the conversation.
Announced by Meta's Chief AI Officer
The rollout was announced via blog post and on X by Meta's chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, who shared a demo of his own Muse in action. In the video, Wang jokes about his love of posting memes on X, telling his Muse it may have gotten him in trouble with his boss. His Muse — a fluffy white dog — responds by suggesting he add disclaimers to memes that could be misread as Meta endorsing something risque.
Coming Soon to Wearables and Glasses
The expanded video and calling support arrives just ahead of Meta's plan to launch a Tamagotchi-like wearable device for its Muse AI agent before year-end. When that device ships, the digital avatar will appear on its small screen, letting users talk to the agent, which can reply or carry out tasks on their behalf.
Meta says real-time conversations are supported on mobile, web, and Mac, with support planned later for its AI Glasses and the upcoming "Muse Charm" hardware device.
via TechCrunch AI