Meta Builds Autonomous AI Assistant for Everyday Consumer Tasks
Meta Platforms is developing a highly personalized artificial intelligence assistant that can autonomously manage everyday tasks for more than 3 billion users. As a result, the company is making a major move into agentic AI, which allows systems to act independently with minimal human input.
The assistant reportedly relies on the new Muse Spark AI model and is currently undergoing internal testing among employees. In addition, the product aims to function similarly to OpenClaw, a tool owned by OpenAI that connects hardware and software systems while learning from generated data with limited user involvement.
Instead of only answering questions, the assistant is expected to complete tasks across the company’s family of apps. Meanwhile, reports indicate the company is also developing another AI agent called “Hatch” along with an agentic shopping feature for Instagram.
Investors Question Rising AI Costs
At the same time, investors are increasing scrutiny over the company’s growing AI spending. During the first-quarter 2026 earnings report, the company raised its full-year capital expenditure forecast to between $125 billion and $145 billion. Previously, the projected range stood between $115 billion and $135 billion.
According to the company, the increase reflects higher component prices and additional data center expenses needed to expand future capacity. Notably, the midpoint of the updated forecast would nearly double the company’s 2025 spending of $72.2 billion.
Following the announcement, shares dropped more than 6% in after-hours trading. However, the company still reported strong first-quarter revenue growth of 33%, reaching $56 billion.
Executives Defend AI Investment Strategy
CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the company’s aggressive AI spending during the earnings call. He argued that these investments remain essential for long-term growth and for strengthening the advertising business.
CFO Susan Li told analysts that Meta must invest to “satisfy our infrastructure requirements and ensure we maximize our strategic flexibility in the future”. In addition, reports suggest the company is considering raising between $20 billion and $25 billion through an investment-grade bond sale to support its expanding AI infrastructure plans.
