Instinct Concierge and Meta Muse Add AI Phone Calls as Agent Race Intensifies
Instinct Concierge and Meta’s Muse add outbound calling, as Instinct chases a reported $10 billion valuation and Muse tops 730,000 U.S. downloads after launch.
Summary
San Francisco based Instinct and Meta’s Muse added outbound calling on September 16, 2026, erasing an advantage promoted by text assistant rivals Wajo, Town and Ollie. Founder Noah Shinn said Instinct Concierge can call restaurants without online reservations, join dentist cancellation lists, resolve cable bills and arrange premium services. Early access is reaching selected users before expansion to everyone. Muse, launched last week, can call U.S. businesses. Meta’s Ryan Fox said users who requested calling receive priority, and Meta plans the same request driven access for future features.
Instinct last week also introduced agent email addresses for account registration and management, plus trusted networks allowing users’ assistants to coordinate tasks. The company raised $350 million at a $2.5 billion valuation last month and is reportedly discussing a $1 billion round at a $10 billion valuation. Sensor Tower said Muse surpassed Meta AI’s initial launch, recording more than 730,000 U.S. downloads against Meta AI’s 707,000 during its first five days and briefly reaching No. 2 on the charts.
Positives
- Instinct Concierge can complete phone dependent tasks including restaurant bookings, dentist cancellation requests and cable bill disputes.
- Muse now places outbound calls to U.S. businesses, extending Meta’s assistant beyond text interactions.
- Instinct’s $350 million round valued the company at $2.5 billion, with talks targeting $1 billion at a reported $10 billion valuation.
- Muse exceeded 730,000 U.S. downloads and briefly reached No. 2, surpassing Meta AI’s 707,000 first five day launch total.
- Instinct’s agent email addresses and trusted networks expand automation into account management and assistant coordination.
Risks & concerns
- Instinct Concierge remains limited to selected early access users, with no date given for universal availability.
- Muse calling currently targets U.S. businesses and prioritizes users who previously requested the feature.
- Calling parity removes a competitive distinction as Instinct, Muse and rival assistants converge on similar capabilities.
- Instinct’s proposed $10 billion valuation and $1 billion funding round remain unconfirmed and under discussion.