OpenAI launches premium AI agent Dots, positioning it against Meta's free Muse platform

OpenAI unveiled its new AI agent, Dots, at the company’s DevDay event, describing it as a "real-deal" assistant powered by the GPT-6 Astra model. The agent is presented as a customizable, visual interface designed for complex, long-term tasks such as project QA, website design, and financial planning. OpenAI said Dots will initially be available only to users on its $20-per-month Pro plan, positioning it as a premium professional tool.

Meta’s Muse platform, by contrast, is offered free of charge and includes a dedicated virtual machine that stores user data alongside the agent. OpenAI executives emphasized Dots’ higher compute requirements and its focus on privacy, noting a new "OpenAI Private Intelligence" framework that allows businesses to control data retention and limit storage on OpenAI servers.

During a post-keynote press session, CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the premium pricing, stating, "Dots are starting out as a premium product — it uses a lot of compute," and added that a mass-market version is planned for the future. Head of core products Thibault Sottiaux said Dots can maintain focus over extended interactions and will support text, voice, and phone-call modalities, though the voice feature was not demonstrated at the event.

OpenAI also highlighted safety and alignment, with product lead Alexander Embiricos describing GPT-6 Astra as the company’s "most aligned model." The firm cited recent criticism of Meta’s Muse for privacy lapses as a contrast to its own approach.

Analysts note that while OpenAI’s financial resources are substantial, the company is still managing high operating costs and investor pressure ahead of a potential public offering. The pricing gap raises questions about whether advanced functionality will outweigh the cost advantage of free agents like Muse, which benefits from seamless integration with Meta’s broader ecosystem.