Meta launches Muse Code, an AI programming tool, in competition with OpenAI and Anthropic

Meta announced on Wednesday, the 5th, the launch of Muse Code, a programming agent designed to compete with artificial intelligence solutions offered by companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The company positioned this tool as a more accessible option for performing software development tasks.

This new product integrates Meta's strategy of converting its investments in artificial intelligence into applications that generate commercial returns. This move comes after demands from investors for tangible results, given the large investments made in computational infrastructure and specialized professionals.

The company communicated that some employees are already using the agent internally and plans to expand this usage. The product's development took place within Meta's new artificial intelligence structure, under the leadership of Alexandr Wang, who is responsible for Meta's AI division.

Programming agents are systems designed to assist in creating projects and executing software engineering activities, reducing users' dependence on manual code typing. This segment has gained relevance due to tools launched by competitors in recent months.

Muse Code will be available in two pricing models. One will follow the format of the general Muse Spark model, while the second was created with a considerably lower cost. In this more economical option, users will pay 20 cents per million output tokens and will need to provide feedback to contribute to the system's improvement.

This pricing approach brings Meta's tool closer to models developed by Chinese companies, including alternatives with similar values. Conversely, rival solutions, such as Claude Code and Codex, operate with monthly plans and charge extra fees when usage limits are exceeded.

Meta also mentioned that previous models in the market have seen price reductions, in the context of intense competition for the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. The competition covers not only technical performance but also the cost of access for developers and corporations.

Last year, the company restructured its AI division with the founding of Meta Superintelligence Labs. Alexandr Wang, who is a co-founder of ScaleAI, took over the direction of this division and initiated an effort to recruit specialists from other industry laboratories.

This move involved compensation packages valued at millions of dollars for hiring talent and accelerating the development of new models. One of the projects resulting from this effort is Muse Spark, an artificial intelligence model that Meta presented in April.

The launch of Muse Code signals another advancement by the company in expanding its share in a market where technology companies compete for users, developers, and revenue related to artificial intelligence.

olhardigital.com.brJuly 24, 22:58

Meta updates AI chatbot with scheduling, search, and personal planning features

On Friday, the 24th, Meta announced a significant improvement to its artificial intelligence chatbot. This update expands the tool's capabilities beyond existing functions, such as generating responses, creating images, and drafting documents, by incorporating new features focused on personal organization, detailed research, and task planning.

Integration with user routine

The new feature allows the assistant to access the user's calendar data to generate daily summaries, assist in selecting dates for appointments, and support overall activity organization. Meta claims that these additions are part of a larger strategy to transform its AI into a true personal assistant.

Availability and expansion

The initial launch is available in specific markets, accessible through both the Meta AI app and the service's web version. The company communicated that expansion to other regions and platforms, including WhatsApp, will be implemented in the coming weeks.

Focus on autonomy and planning

Meta presented this update as an evolution of the chatbot, which now includes tools to monitor repetitive tasks and suggest actions based on context provided by the user. It is possible to configure the system once so that it executes certain functions continuously, without the need for constant commands.

New practical capabilities

Among the practical examples cited by the company are the creation of weekly meal schedules, alerts about the need to restock items, and the drafting of daily agenda summaries. Furthermore, the assistant can help with practical searches, such as locating used furniture on Facebook Marketplace while respecting a predefined budget for renovations.

Advanced search and reporting

The tool has also received dedicated features for events and searches. According to Meta, the chatbot has the ability to find restaurants suitable for a specific occasion and cross-reference this information with the user's schedule to identify a compatible day. Additionally, the system now produces reports, presentations, and plans using information collected from the internet. Another innovation allows users to redirect the search while the answer is still being generated, following a pattern seen in other AI assistants.

Model and future vision

This update is powered by the Muse Spark 1.1 model, which Meta designated as responsible for increasing the chatbot's abilities. The company associated this novelty with the concept of 'personal superintelligence,' a term used by CEO Mark Zuckerberg when discussing the future of artificial intelligence.

Strategic shift by Meta

This change signals a shift in the company's previous approach. According to information attributed to journalist Alex Heath, Chris Cox, Meta's product director, had instructed employees last year to focus on entertainment and social connection, rather than productivity—an area where competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are strong. With these new features, Meta enters a more direct competition with the AI assistants developed by its rivals, seeking to increase the daily use of the tool through integration with organization, research, and planning tasks.