Meta Platforms Inc. rolled out Meta Muse Image on July 7, 2026, bringing its in-house AI image generator to Meta AI, WhatsApp and Instagram Stories in the United States and select markets.
Meta said Muse Image was built by Meta Superintelligence Labs and is available through the Meta AI app, meta.ai and more than 30 interactive Instagram Stories effects. The company’s launch page described the tool as an image-generation feature for creative edits and visual prompts.
Muse Image uses an “agentic tool-use” framework that can write code, run scripts and browse the web to improve factual accuracy. It also says the model supports readable text, scan-ready QR codes and markup-based editing of selected image areas.
The rollout drew criticism because public Instagram accounts are included by default in a feature that lets users tag public profiles in prompts and create AI images using their public photos. The Guardian reported that public content can be used without automated notifications to account owners, while private and under-18 accounts are excluded.
Axios reported that privacy advocates, SAG-AFTRA, and talent representatives raised concerns about consent and the use of likenesses. Meta said the model includes safeguards against harmful or inappropriate content.
Users can opt out in Instagram settings by disabling content reuse for posts and reels. Meta also plans to expand Muse Image to Facebook and Messenger and integrate it into Advantage+ creative tools for businesses.
Meta is also preparing Muse Video for late 2026 as an audio-supported AI clip generator
