Inside Meta's months-long grind to turn Muse into a hit

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1. 2h ago

   Meta Grinds Muse Into AI Sensation

   Meta transformed its Muse AI assistant from a clunky chatbot into an App Store hit after months of intensive internal development. Led by figures like Nat Friedman and Meta's AI chief Alexandr Wang, the team overcame rocky early phases where the software struggled with basic English. The success has driven a monster stock rally, putting Meta on the cusp of a two-trillion-dollar valuation and showcasing a winning artificial intelligence strategy that positions the company far beyond its social-media roots. Muse is now scaling rapidly through aggressive promotion across Meta apps.

   Why it matters

   Meta faced skepticism a year ago regarding its ability to compete in the artificial intelligence race, with industry observers questioning its strategic direction. The sudden takeoff of Muse marks a major turning point for the tech giant, shifting market perceptions and validating heavy investments in AI infrastructure. This momentum reflects a broader transformation within the company as it challenges dominant players like Google.

   What is confirmed

   • Meta's Muse has become an App Store hit following a rocky start and months of development.
   • Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hyped up the Muse AI assistant at the company's Connect event.
   • Meta is experiencing its best month since 2013 and nearing a two-trillion-dollar valuation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Meta's top AI staff fretted about Muse days before launch as it struggled to speak good English.
   • Ex-GitHub CEO Nat Friedman's team worked around the clock to turn the AI assistant into a hit.

   What to watch next

   • Further user adoption metrics and App Store ranking trends for Muse
   • Broader competitive responses from Google and other major artificial intelligence rivals
   • Additional product integrations and updates announced following Meta's Connect event
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. WIRED — Meta’s Muse Is Better at Surveilling Than Helping Me
   2. The New York Times — I Gave My Life Over to Meta’s A.I. Agent and Was Blown Away
   3. Bloomberg.com — Meta’s Best Month Since 2013 Has It on Cusp of $2 Trillion Level
   4. www.cnbc.com — Meta nears first new high in a year as Muse success showcases winning AI strategy
   5. meta.com — The Biggest News From Connect 2026
   6. Yahoo Finance — 'Meta is having its moment' as stock's monster rally vindicates the bulls: Chart of the Day
   7. TechCrunch — Meta is putting its muscle behind Muse as the AI app takes off
   8. businessinsider.com — Meta's Muse feels real in a way the metaverse never did
   9. Business Insider — Inside Meta's months-long grind to turn Muse into a hit
   10. www.businessinsider.com — Inside Meta's grind to turn Muse from a clunky chatbot into an AI sensation
   11. Yahoo Finance — Meta has an AI solution to its misunderstood trust problem
   12. Barchart.com — Meta’s Muse Could Be the Biggest Threat Google Has Faced in 20 Years
   confidence 95%