Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth increased by approximately $25 billion in a single trading session as Meta shares jumped 11% on Monday, September 21. This surge, which placed the founder sixth on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list with an estimated $253.6 billion, is largely attributed to the successful launch of Muse, Meta’s new personal AI agent.
Muse Outpaces ChatGPT’s Early Growth
Launched in the U.S. on September 8, Muse surpassed 2.5 million downloads within its first two weeks. According to Reuters data, Muse recorded 1.8 million downloads in its first 12 days, outperforming ChatGPT’s initial launch period of 1.3 million downloads. Designed as a personal assistant, Muse integrates with daily apps to manage tasks such as travel planning and email correspondence, adapting to user behavior over time.
From Metaverse to 'Personal Superintelligence'
Meta’s strategic focus is shifting from the 3D metaverse vision toward what Zuckerberg terms "personal superintelligence." At the Meta Connect 2026 conference (September 23-24), the company is expected to showcase the next steps in this evolution, focusing on AI wearables and smart glasses. New models may include camera-less versions to address privacy concerns, while existing Ray-Ban Meta glasses continue to offer real-time translation and object recognition.
The Persistent Privacy Dilemma
Despite the market's optimism, Meta faces renewed scrutiny over data privacy. To function effectively, the Muse AI agent requires deep access to personal emails, messages, and calendars. A recent incident involving columnist Jason Aten highlighted concerns when Muse referenced private conversations, initially providing an inaccurate explanation of how it accessed the data. Analysts suggest that while Wall Street is sold on Meta’s AI potential—with significant revenue not expected until 2028—the challenge of gaining user trust remains a significant hurdle.
