Meta Acquires AI Agent Startup Manus to Strengthen Platform Intelligence
- Meta has acquired AI startup Manus to accelerate the integration of autonomous AI agents across its consumer and business platforms.
- Manus develops a general-purpose AI agent that can perform tasks like research and automation with minimal human input.
- The deal reflects Meta’s growing focus on AI investments amid intense competition among global tech companies.
Meta announced that it will acquire Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus, as the Facebook parent steps up its push to embed advanced AI tools across its platforms. The move highlights how global tech giants are racing to strengthen their AI capabilities amid growing competition in the sector.
While Meta did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, the company said it plans to operate and sell Manus’ services and integrate the technology into both its consumer and business offerings. This includes embedding the AI agent into Meta AI and other products used by individuals and enterprises.
Manus, which is based in Singapore, develops a general-purpose AI agent designed to function like a digital employee. The agent can independently carry out tasks such as research, data analysis, and automation, often with minimal prompts from users. Meta said the technology aligns with its vision of building AI systems that are more autonomous, useful, and scalable.
The acquisition comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, the company invested in Scale AI in a deal that valued the data-labeling firm at $29 billion. The move also brought Scale AI’s 28-year-old Chief Executive, Alexandr Wang, into Meta’s AI leadership fold.
Manus launched its AI agent earlier this year and has claimed that its performance exceeds OpenAI’s DeepResearch agent. To promote the product, the company completed dozens of user-requested tasks for free on the social media platform X, drawing attention from developers and businesses.
Manus is part of Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology but has been operating out of Singapore. Like several Chinese tech firms, it has chosen the city-state as a base to reduce risks linked to rising Sino-U.S. geopolitical tensions and to access global markets more smoothly.
