Meta Platforms — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — has announced the acquisition of AI startup Manus, marking a major strategic push to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities and compete more aggressively with rivals in the evolving AI landscape. The deal is reported to be worth more than $2 billion, making it one of the company’s largest AI‑focused purchases and underscoring the importance Meta places on advanced AI technology this year.
Manus is a Singapore‑based company originally founded in China that developed a general‑purpose autonomous AI agent capable of carrying out complex tasks — such as market research, coding, data analysis, and automation — with minimal human prompting. Its technology goes beyond typical chatbot interactions by functioning more like a digital assistant or autonomous worker, enabling users and businesses to streamline workflows that previously required significant manual effort. Manus had grown quickly since its launch earlier this year, reporting rapid revenue growth and widespread usage before the acquisition.
Under the agreement, Manus will continue to operate and sell its service independently, while its technology and team will be integrated into Meta’s broader AI ecosystem. Meta plans to leverage Manus’s AI agents to boost features in its consumer and business products, including enhancements to Meta AI, and potentially across platforms used by billions of people worldwide. The acquisition reflects Meta’s broader strategy of turning its massive investments in AI models and infrastructure into practical, revenue‑generating tools and offerings.
The deal also stands out because of its geopolitical and competitive context: Manus was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs and has historical ties to Chinese tech investors, but its relocation to Singapore and sale to a US tech giant highlights how global AI talent and innovation are becoming central to competition among major technology companies. By bringing Manus into its fold, Meta is positioning itself to accelerate its AI transformation and better contend with other tech giants that have also been investing heavily in AI capabilities.
