Meta is building a consumer version of the AI agent OpenClaw, internally called “Hatch,” that is designed to perform a range of tasks for users, plus a separate agentic shopping tool that will be integrated into Instagram, according to The Information sources. The shopping tool will let users tap on an item in an Instagram Reel or feed to learn more about it, navigate to an external webpage, and complete a purchase within the platform, with Meta hoping to increase competition against TikTok Shop. Internal testing of Hatch is targeted for the end of June, while the Instagram shopping tool is targeting a launch before Q4 of this year. Meta also tried to acquire OpenClaw earlier this year before OpenAI hired its creator Peter Steinberger in February, and the company is currently being required by China's National Development and Reform Commission to unwind its December acquisition of Chinese AI agent startup Manus.
