Instinct users say they've noticed a slowdown with the buzzy AI agent (www.businessinsider.com)

Instinct, a rising personal AI agent that competes with Meta's Muse, is facing significant slowdowns in response times, frustrating users who rely on its capabilities for tasks like booking hotels and managing emails. Users have reported instances where the app fails to promptly notify them of incoming communications, likening its functionality to that of a forgetful assistant. The slowdown raises concerns about Instinct's ability to scale effectively, especially when compared to Meta, which benefits from owning its computing infrastructure. This disparity allows Meta to maintain consistent performance without the risk of outages, as noted by industry experts. The significance of this situation lies in the competitive landscape of AI agents, where reliability and speed are crucial for user retention. Despite being praised for its innovative features, Instinct's reliance on investor funding rather than extensive computing resources poses a challenge for sustainability and growth. The rivalry between the two companies is intensifying, highlighted by social media exchanges that underscore the pressure on Instinct to improve its service and compete effectively against a well-established giant like Meta. As the AI/ML community observes this unfolding drama, the performance issues may impact the startup's reputation and future development trajectories.