Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has agreed to acquire AI startup Manus in a deal reportedly worth over $2 billionmarking one of the biggest AI-focused tech acquisitions of the year. This move underscores Meta’s rising ambition to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities and integrate advanced AI agents into its products.
About Manus and Its Technology
Manus is a Singapore-based AI startup originally founded with Chinese roots, known for building autonomous AI agents capable of executing complex tasks with minimal human guidance. These AI agents go beyond simple chatbots, handling multi-step workflows in research, automation, coding, data analysis and other areas. Manus reportedly amassed millions of paying users and a strong annual recurring revenue run-rate prior to the acquisition.
The company’s flagship AI agent has processed trillions of tokens and powered millions of virtual computing tasks, showcasing a high level of real-world usage and commercial traction. These capabilities make it a strategic asset for Meta as it seeks to boost “general-purpose” AI agents that can perform meaningful work on behalf of users. Manus
Strategic Motives Behind the Acquisition
Meta’s acquisition of Manus fits into its broader strategy to compete with major AI players like Google, Microsoft and OpenAI. Rather than relying solely on proprietary base models, Meta appears to be integrating task-oriented AI agents that can perform and execute complex functions across platforms.
By incorporating Manus technology, Meta may:
- Enhance AI features in its flagship products like Meta AI, WhatsApp and Messenger.
- Monetise AI services through subscriptions, business tools and premium AI agent offerings.
- Diversify beyond ad-based revenue with paid AI applications and services.
This aligns with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push toward building a robust AI ecosystem that can deliver not just conversational assistance but practical utility at scale.
Operational and Regulatory Notes
As part of the deal, all Chinese ownership ties to Manus have been severed. The startup will continue to operate from Singapore, while its team and technology will join Meta’s AI division. Manus plans to maintain its existing subscription services as it expands into Meta’s massive user network across global platforms.
Conclusion
Meta’s acquisition of Manus represents a major step in its AI evolutionbringing advanced autonomous agent technology into its ecosystem and potentially adding millions of paying users. The deal strengthens Meta’s position in the competitive AI landscape and highlights how major tech companies are betting on intelligent agents as the next frontier of AI innovation.
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