Meta, the social media giant, has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) model called Muse Wonder, which it claims is on par with those developed by OpenAI and Anthropic. According to Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, Muse Wonder represents a significant advancement in AI technology, positioning the company at the forefront of the field. This new model is designed to enhance the capabilities of Meta's virtual assistant, Muse.

Muse Wonder is a more extensive and advanced model that will enable Meta's virtual assistant, Muse, to perform tasks more efficiently. The new model will be accessible to developers starting October 12, 2026, and will be integrated into Muse, initially for paying subscribers. Meta's goal is to generate new revenue streams beyond advertising, which currently accounts for the majority of its $145 billion in investments, primarily in AI.

According to Artificial Analysis, a company that evaluates AI models, Muse Wonder is classified among the most performant models on the market. Meta's own tests indicate that Muse Wonder outperforms the latest models from OpenAI and Anthropic, the creators of ChatGPT and Claude. This development is part of Meta's efforts to catch up with its competitors in the AI sector.

Meta's virtual assistant, Muse, was launched in early September 2026 in the United States and has quickly gained popularity, becoming the most downloaded free application on Apple's App Store. However, its growth has slowed, according to Sensor Tower. Muse is capable of performing various tasks, such as booking travel, sending emails, and making purchases.

The announcement of Muse Wonder comes amid a debate in the tech industry about the pace of AI development. Some industry leaders, including the CEOs of Anthropic and OpenAI, have called for a slowdown in AI development, citing concerns about the potential risks. However, Mark Zuckerberg has rejected this idea, stating that Meta is already working on the next stage of AI development.

Meta's approach to AI development differs from its competitors, as the company advocates for the open diffusion of AI to mitigate its risks. In August 2026, Meta relaunched its open-source AI models, diverging from its American rivals, which keep their most powerful models under exclusive control. This approach is expected to accelerate the development of AI, according to Zuckerberg.

The development of Muse Wonder and its integration into Meta's virtual assistant, Muse, is expected to further enhance the capabilities of AI-powered tools. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Meta's advancements in this field are likely to have a significant impact on the industry. The company's focus on developing more sophisticated AI models is driven by its goal to generate new revenue streams and stay competitive in the market.

Key points

  • Meta unveils Muse Wonder, a new AI model to rival OpenAI and Anthropic.
  • Muse Wonder is designed to enhance the capabilities of Meta's virtual assistant, Muse.
  • The development of Muse Wonder is part of Meta's efforts to generate new revenue streams beyond advertising.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.