Meta has introduced its first image-focused artificial intelligence model, Muse Image, which by default uses public Instagram posts and reels to generate AI content.
The tool was launched on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The tech giant integrated Muse Image into WhatsApp and Instagram, enabling AI-powered effects for Stories and direct chats.
The rollout began in limited countries.
Users can actively utilize public media from other profiles by using specific tags within the application.
“You can also @-mention Instagram accounts in the Meta AI app to bring specific Instagram profiles right into your images,” Meta said in a post.
The system allows users to leverage existing public media to generate various visual materials for social platforms.
“Whether you want to design a custom event invitation, mock up a collaborative creative concept, or generate a personalized graphic, tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that's ready to post,” Meta stated.
Privacy and Data Use
The function automatically repurposes published media into data for generative systems depending on user interactions.
“In addition, people may be able to create content with your Instagram content using AI features at Meta,” the company notes in a help document.
The documentation notes that the visibility of the newly created media can extend to external online search platforms.
“Depending on the settings of the other user, this means your reused content may be discoverable in search engine results,” Meta said.
The system retains already generated content even if an account transitions to a private status later on.
For teenage users with public accounts, only followers can reuse media if the account settings permit it, and the system does not send notifications when images are remixed using AI.
This development aligns with broader industry practices where technology corporations implement opt-out systems to refine their services.
Google recently deployed a similar update through a new Search Services History option within its privacy configurations to store diverse media formats.
“Your media may be used to improve your experience on Google services, like letting you revisit your past visual searches,” Google said in a support document.
The company outlined that the collected assets directly support the refinement of its machine learning technologies.
“Saved media may be used to develop and improve Google's AI models and technologies, as well as the Google services that use them.
When media is saved, you can view it in your Search Services History,” Google said.
Human reviewers assist the company in analyzing the stored history to optimize system outputs and maintain safety protocols.
“Google also uses your history to provide, develop, and improve its services (such as training generative AI models) and to protect Google, its users, and the public with the help of human reviewers,” Google continued.
Google also introduced a “Personalized Recommendations” setting to deliver tailored search and news feed results based on user history.
