Meta and OpenAI have launched distinct AI agents designed to operate autonomously beyond simple prompt-response interactions. Meta introduced Muse on September 8, followed by OpenAI’s always-on “Dots” in ChatGPT three weeks later. Both systems can function independently after you step away, utilizing cloud infrastructure to connect with external services. The central promise is convenience: assign a task and let the agent handle it without constant monitoring.
Muse is built on a dedicated Secure Virtual Machine featuring its own browser interface, aiming for a conversational experience similar to messaging another person. It can be accessed through the Muse application, the web, or WhatsApp, and expands its capabilities when linked to email and calendar services. During hands-on testing by Engadget, Muse successfully converted saved Instagram and Facebook posts into curated lists of recipes and restaurants. Meanwhile, Dots operate within the ChatGPT ecosystem, powered by GPT-6 Astra. Each Dot runs on its own cloud computer, leverages connected plugins, retains contextual memory, and handles recurring jobs. Users can also grant Dots access to their local devices for file retrieval and browsing, with plans to support the simultaneous management of multiple agents.
Despite these advanced features, both companies emphasize that human supervision remains necessary. Meta requires Muse to request permission before executing sensitive actions such as making purchases or sending emails. OpenAI employs a combination of permissions, Custom Rules, and Auto-review to regulate Dot activities. Both firms warn that errors are possible, and web access is not universal; notably, Amazon has already blocked Meta’s Muse from shopping on its platform.
Pricing structures reveal the sharpest contrast between the two services. The Muse free tier includes usage limits, while its Power and Maximum plans cost $20 and $100 per month, respectively. In comparison, individual users must subscribe to at least the Pro 100 plan for Dots at $100 per month. Business Premium seats for Dots are priced at $100 per user per month when billed annually, or $125 per user monthly. The cost difference is significant for casual users seeking affordable autonomous assistance.
Privacy policies also differ substantially. Meta asserts that data processed within its virtual machine is not shared with its advertising systems, and users can opt out of having their interactions used to train Meta’s AI models. However, Engadget noted that the model-improvement setting is enabled by default, along with a default permission option that only prompts for certain actions. OpenAI states that activity from personal-plan Dots may contribute to model improvement depending on ChatGPT settings, whereas Business and Enterprise data is not used for training by default. Proactive research conducted by Dots remains read-only until a subsequent action triggers standard permission checks.
Availability varies by region as well. Dots are currently rolling out to eligible Pro users outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK, with Business Premium access available across supported ChatGPT regions and Enterprise access still in beta. Usage of Dots will not count toward overall usage limits unless the agent is working within ChatGPT Work or Codex. Muse is currently accessible to users in the United States and Canada.
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