New AI agents demand users trade privacy for convenience
Consumers are adopting proactive software from Meta and OpenAI to handle daily tasks, but experts warn the tools perform best only when given access to sensitive personal data.
By Takeshi Faure ·
A new wave of artificial intelligence tools is asking users to surrender intimate details of their lives in exchange for automated help. Major technology firms are releasing consumer-facing agents that can manage calendars, book travel, and send emails on a user's behalf. These systems require access to inboxes, credit card numbers, and personal identification data to function effectively.
The market for these proactive agents expanded rapidly this year. While AI labs have offered agentic capabilities for years, products designed to act independently for users have gained traction among the general public. Companies including Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI are now competing for consumers who want assistance with both work and personal errands.
Experts advise against relying on a single provider. Jose Artigas, a business consultant focused on AI strategy, said there is currently no single agent that can handle every task perfectly. He and other industry professionals use a "stack" of different tools. This approach allows users to assign specific jobs to the software best suited for them.
Different agents are marketed for different roles. Anthropic describes Claude Duet as a tool for professionals and small business owners. Meta positions Muse as a helper for health, finances, and relationships. OpenAI's Dots and xAI's Grok Bot are framed as digital colleagues or chief of staff figures. In contrast, Instinct from Spear Street Technology is pitched as a personal assistant for routine chores.
Users must decide how much personal information they are willing to share. Clara Gigling, founder of Oudae Labs, noted that agents perform better when they know more about a person. However, this creates a tension between utility and privacy. Companies have responded with policies that explain how data is stored on dedicated cloud computers and how users can control memory retention.
To get started, Artigas recommends identifying one repetitive online task that is currently being postponed. Examples include writing a long email or booking a flight. He warned that agents cannot handle physical tasks like folding laundry or organizing a junk drawer. Users should give the agent detailed goals and specific context to ensure accurate results.
Artigas suggested that Meta's Muse is a suitable entry point for novices because it offers user-friendly prompts to guide new users. He also advised using multiple agents to create a system of checks and balances. One agent can perform the work while another critiques the output, helping to identify and correct mistakes.
