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Instinct adds AI concierge calling and friend-coordination features amid reported competition from Meta’s Muse

TechCrunch reports that AI agent startup Instinct uses its own phone number and computer to handle user tasks, has added concierge calling and friend coordination, and is now facing competition from Meta’s Muse.

6 Sources, 12d ago, first seen 12d ago

TLDR

TechCrunch reports that Instinct is part of a new wave of consumer AI agents designed to complete real-world tasks, not just answer questions. The startup reportedly uses its own phone number and computer when carrying out requests, and has recently added a concierge feature for phone calls plus a trusted person network that lets agents coordinate plans with friends’ agents. TechCrunch also reports that users have questioned how much personal information these tools require, and that Instinct updated an initially troubling privacy policy. At the same time, the company is reportedly facing fresh competition from Meta’s Muse. Instinct still communicates through SMS rather than a mobile app, has not disclosed user numbers or growth metrics, and declined to make founder Noah Shinn available for interviews.

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6 Sources, first seen 12d ago

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TechCrunch reports that Instinct is positioning itself as part of a newer class of consumer AI agents designed to do more than chat. Rather than only answering questions, these services are meant to carry out everyday tasks such as booking travel, making restaurant reservations, buying items, paying bills, canceling subscriptions, researching options, and ordering groceries (TechCrunch).

When asked to handle a task, Instinct uses its own phone number and computer, TechCrunch reported (TechCrunch). The outlet also said the company recently rolled out a concierge feature that can make phone calls on a user’s behalf for things like booking appointments at businesses without online scheduling, as well as a trusted person network that lets one user’s agent coordinate plans with friends’ agents (TechCrunch).

Privacy questions and product limits

TechCrunch noted that some users have questioned how much personal information they have to disclose to AI agents to access those capabilities. The outlet also reported that Instinct’s initial privacy policy was particularly worrisome before later being updated (TechCrunch).

TechCrunch further reports that Instinct is facing fresh competition from Meta’s Muse, an AI assistant that offers similar features while integrating more deeply with Meta’s social products (TechCrunch). Instinct, which communicates with users through SMS and texting, does not yet have a mobile app and has not shared user numbers or growth metrics, according to the report (TechCrunch).

Founder not made available for interviews

TechCrunch also reports that Instinct declined to make founder Noah Shinn available for interviews alongside the financing news. Instead, the company shared a statement attributed to Shinn saying the funding would help Instinct reach more people and continue building what he described as personal AI for everyday life (TechCrunch).

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