Meta Launches AI Image Generator Muse Image; Controversy Erupts Immediately

On Tuesday, Meta unveiled Muse Image, a new AI image generator developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Muse Image, whose internal codename was "Mango," is now available for free through the Meta AI app, WhatsApp, and Instagram. However, this feature has ignited controversy almost immediately.

In a post on X, Meta explained that its new image tools can use "Instagram for social context." Essentially, this means the AI can select images for you based on your Instagram activity, and it also lets anyone create images featuring you by tagging your public Instagram account in a prompt.

This has sparked concern online. One user wrote on X: "Including real users in generated photos without their explicit consent is a privacy time bomb."

According to the company's policy, "other people may create content using your Instagram footage through Meta's AI features," as long as your account is public. Meta also states that you will receive notifications about "content created using Meta's AI features."

Although this option is enabled by default, Meta assures users that they can control it and disable it in their settings. Switching your account to private can also prevent future image generation, although images already created this way will not be deleted.

All you need to know about Meta Muse Image

While privacy may be a concern for some online users, Muse Image comes with a host of new features. Meta states that the tool can be used like other AI image generators, including creating cartoon-style images.

You can choose from different presets or pre-made instructions, or write your own. The model will also power 30 new AI effects for Instagram Stories in the US, before expanding to other countries and more areas of Meta's apps. These effects include customizable filters that modify existing photos.

Muse Image also lets you edit images with text prompts. The company notes that with this tool, it's possible to create more complex images, such as invitations or postcards. Muse Image is the second major release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, led by Alexandr Wang, following the April release of the large-scale language model Muse Spark. Wang stated in Threads that Muse Image has agentic capabilities. The tool works in conjunction with Muse Spark to "reason about the user's prompt, search the web, and plan before generating the image."

Currently, Muse Image ranks second in the Arena Elo rankings for text-to-image, single-image editing, and multi-image editing, just behind OpenAI's GPT Image 2.

Alongside Muse Image, Meta also unveiled its new AI-powered video generator, Muse Video, which is currently in development. At the time of writing, Muse Video ranks third in the Arena Elo rankings for text-to-video generation.

Is Muse Image free?

Meta states that Muse Image is free; however, users who exceed the usage limit must wait for it to reset or subscribe to a paid plan, such as Meta One. The company also plans to integrate the tool into Facebook and Messenger later this year. Additionally, other Instagram and WhatsApp features will soon incorporate Muse Image. For now, the tool is available only for Instagram Stories and WhatsApp Direct Messages, as well as in the Meta AI app.

Is Muse Image free? Meta is also using Muse Image in its business and advertising tools. The model will allow for the generation of advertiser-focused images within Advantage Plus, a solution that helps brands create marketing materials and automate parts of campaign management. The company announced that advertisers and agencies will soon begin to see image variations generated using Muse Image.

This is not the first time Meta has faced public scrutiny regarding user privacy. In 2019, the company paid a record $5 billion fine to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after regulators determined that Cambridge Analytica had improperly collected data on tens of millions of Facebook users without their consent. In 2021, Meta also shut down Facebook’s facial recognition system amid lawsuits and regulatory pressure regarding the collection of biometric data. Furthermore, the company faces potential penalties of up to $1.4 trillion for allegedly harming the mental health of teenagers on Instagram.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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