Meta has outlined its intention to acquire Manus AI, a China-based artificial intelligence startup, as part of its strategy to speed up the rollout of next-generation AI capabilities across its platforms. The deal is expected to strengthen Meta’s AI agents and automation tools at a time when competition in the global AI space is heating up.
A Reuters report claims the acquisition values Manus at more than $2 billion, though Meta has not confirmed the exact figure. The company said the purchase would enable deeper integration of advanced AI technologies into its consumer and enterprise products.
What Changes and What Stays the Same After the Deal:
Unlike recent agreements that focus on talent hires or licensing arrangements, Meta is taking over Manus outright. As part of the deal, Manus staff will move to Meta and contribute to building general-purpose AI agents aimed at supporting billions of users and millions of businesses globally.
In a blog post confirming the acquisition, the Manus team said its immediate focus is to ensure a smooth transition for existing customers. The company will continue running its subscription-based service via its app and website without disruption.
Manus will also remain headquartered in Singapore. At the same time, it will sever relationships with its Chinese investors and shut down its China operations, resulting in layoffs of all employees based in the country.
Xiao Hong, CEO of Manus, said:
“Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made. We’re excited about what the future holds with Meta and Manus working together, and we will continue to iterate on the product and serve the users who have defined Manus from the beginning.”
What exactly is Manus AI:
Manus builds AI agents that are capable of managing advanced, multi-stage tasks typically handled by people. These systems can independently perform activities such as conducting market research, developing and troubleshooting code, and processing and interpreting large volumes of data.
The acquisition arrives as companies increasingly seek AI tools that can manage entire workflows rather than just respond to prompts. This raises a key question: what is Manus AI, and why does Meta consider it a crucial part of its future AI strategy? Here’s a closer look, broken down into five key points.
