Meta on Tuesday unveiled Muse Image, a new AI image generator built by Meta Superintelligence Labs. The feature, internally code-named Mango, is available for free through the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories, and WhatsApp, and quickly drew privacy criticism over an Instagram photo-tagging capability that uses other users’ public photos by default.<\/p>\n
The use cases resemble those of most other consumer AI image generators. Users can create cartoonish or playful images, and Meta ships a set of preset prompts for users who want a starting point.<\/p>\n
Muse also supports prompt-based image editing, which lets people ask the model to mock up a picture of themselves in front of a landmark, remove a photobomber from a background, or generate a functional QR code, according to Meta. The model can produce images for sharing across Meta’s apps and platforms, and a promotional video shows it being used to visualize how a secondhand couch might look inside a garage, with that workflow designed to integrate with Facebook Marketplace.<\/p>\n
Meta also announced new AI effects for Instagram Stories, powered by Muse, including customizable filters that modify existing photos. Custom ad creation is another listed use case.<\/p>\n
The most discussed feature lets users tag another Instagram user and use that person’s public photos to create a new AI-generated image. The Verge flagged the practice after launch, and reaction on X was sharp. One user wrote that pulling real users into generated photos without explicit consent is a privacy landmine waiting to detonate.<\/p>\n
Meta’s policy states that people may be able to create content with your Instagram content using AI features at Meta and that you will not be notified about content created using AI features at Meta. The company says users can adjust settings to opt out of this co-option of their pictures, though the feature is opt-out by default.<\/p>\n
Muse is free for everyday creation, with subscriptions kicking in once a user exceeds a certain generation limit. Meta confirmed that Muse Video, presumably an AI video generator, is already in development. TechCrunch has reached out to Meta for additional detail.<\/p>\n
Muse’s photo-tagging design fits a pattern of broad, opt-out data use that regulators and privacy advocates have flagged before.<\/p>\n
Muse arrives during a year of expanded AI work at Meta. Recent launches include Creator, an AI assistant, and Pocket, a vibe-coded game creation app. The company has been accused of having a diffuse AI strategy, even as it continues to plan heavy investment in AI infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Muse Image is an AI image generator built by Meta Superintelligence Labs, internally code-named Mango. It is available for free through the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories, and WhatsApp, and supports both image creation and prompt-based editing.<\/p>\n
Muse lets users tag another Instagram user and use that person’s public photos to create a new AI-generated image. Meta’s policy says people may not be notified about such content, and the feature is opt-out by default, prompting critics to call it a privacy concern.<\/p>\n
Muse is free for everyday creation, with subscriptions kicking in once a user exceeds a certain generation limit. Meta confirmed that Muse Video is already in development.<\/p>\n