# Instinct Faces New Test as Meta and OpenAI Expand AI-Agent Access

By Simon Yoon

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/technology/29055
Published: 2026-10-09T14:17:07.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-09T14:17:07.000Z
Section: Technology

> The invite-only assistant raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation as Muse and Dots bring browser-capable agents to broader platforms.

Instinct is entering a more competitive phase of the personal AI market after raising $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation while Meta and OpenAI expand access to browser-capable AI agents.

The company’s Series C, announced Sept. 28, followed a $250 million Series B that valued Instinct at $2.5 billion. Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital and Coatue participated in the latest financing.

Instinct remains in early access and does not require users to install a standalone application. People can interact with the assistant through messaging, email or phone channels, while Instinct uses its own phone and computer to handle tasks such as disputing bills, ordering groceries and scheduling medical appointments.

The approach puts communication tools at the center of the product. “So when I mean simple interface, what I mean is we actually don’t even have an application,” founder Noah Shinn said.

Instinct’s financing was [previously covered by TokenPost](<https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/25667>).

Meta introduced Muse on Sept. 8 as a personal AI agent that operates through a dedicated virtual machine. It can use a browser, fill out forms, send email and book travel. Muse is rolling out in the U.S. on iOS, Android and the web, with free access for most uses and subscription plans for additional capabilities.

OpenAI introduced Dots on Sept. 29. The agents run on GPT-6 Astra, use their own cloud computer and browser, and can work toward goals 24/7. OpenAI also connects Dots to more than 4,000 apps through plugins. The service initially rolled out to Pro, Business Premium and Enterprise users in eligible markets.

The products differ in how users reach them. Muse is distributed through Meta’s consumer platforms, while Dots are positioned within OpenAI’s paid workplace and ChatGPT ecosystem. Instinct is still invite-only and is built around access through existing communication channels.

That leaves Instinct facing a scaling challenge beyond task completion. The company must broaden access and support the computing, trust and transaction infrastructure needed for deeply personal tasks while competing with platforms that already serve large consumer and workplace audiences.

“We’re building Instinct to be the best personal agent that can handle the deeply personal nuances of everyday life,” Shinn said.

## Links in this article

- [previously covered by TokenPost](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/25667)