Meta to Acquire Chinese AI Startup Manus to Strengthen Advanced Artificial Intelligence Capabilities

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Meta Platforms Inc. has announced that it will acquire Manus, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, marking another significant step in the company’s aggressive push to strengthen its advanced AI ecosystem. The acquisition reflects Meta’s broader strategy to embed cutting-edge artificial intelligence across its consumer and business platforms amid intensifying global competition in the AI industry.

Although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition signals Meta’s confidence in Manus’s technology, particularly its general-purpose AI agent, which the startup claims outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch agent in several benchmarks. The deal comes at a time when technology giants are racing to secure AI talent, infrastructure, and proprietary systems to gain a competitive edge.

Manus and Its AI Agent Technology

Founded under Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology Ltd. Co., Manus has positioned itself as a pioneer in building general-purpose AI agents capable of functioning like digital employees. These agents are designed to operate autonomously, handling tasks such as research, data analysis, workflow automation, and operational execution with minimal human input.

Earlier this year, Manus launched its flagship AI agent and gained attention after publicly claiming that its performance exceeded that of OpenAI’s DeepResearch agent. To demonstrate its capabilities, the company completed dozens of tasks for users on the social media platform X free of charge, using real-world examples to showcase the agent’s efficiency, reasoning ability, and task execution speed.

Unlike traditional AI tools that require frequent prompts and human oversight, Manus’s agent is designed to work independently, making decisions and completing complex workflows end-to-end. This approach aligns with the growing industry focus on “agentic AI,” a model where AI systems are not just responsive tools but proactive problem-solvers.

Meta’s Expanding AI Ambitions

Meta’s acquisition of Manus fits into a larger pattern of heavy investment in artificial intelligence. The Facebook and Instagram parent company has made AI central to its long-term vision, spanning social media, advertising, virtual reality, augmented reality, and enterprise tools.

Earlier in 2025, Meta invested in Scale AI, a data-labeling and infrastructure startup, in a deal that valued the company at approximately $29 billion. As part of that investment, Scale AI’s 28-year-old CEO, Alexandr Wang, joined Meta, reinforcing the company’s strategy of acquiring not only technology but also top AI leadership.

With the Manus acquisition, Meta plans to operate and sell the Manus service directly. The company also intends to integrate the AI agent into its existing consumer and business products, including Meta AI. This integration could enhance productivity tools, customer support systems, advertising analytics, and internal automation across Meta’s platforms.

Strategic Importance Amid Fierce Competition

The global AI landscape has become increasingly competitive, with companies such as Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, Nvidia, and several Chinese firms racing to develop more capable and autonomous AI systems. Strategic acquisitions have emerged as a key tactic for accelerating innovation, especially as building advanced AI agents from scratch can take years and require massive resources.

Meta’s move mirrors similar strategies by its rivals. Nvidia, for instance, recently expanded its AI capabilities by acquiring top talent from Groq, a high-performance AI hardware startup. These moves highlight how competition in AI is no longer limited to models and algorithms but extends to talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem control.

Geopolitical Context and Singapore Base

Manus is among a growing number of Chinese technology firms that have chosen to base their operations in Singapore in recent years. The city-state has become an attractive hub for tech companies seeking regulatory stability, strong intellectual property protections, and reduced exposure to geopolitical tensions between China and the United States.

By operating out of Singapore, Manus aimed to lower the risk of disruptions stemming from trade restrictions, export controls, or cross-border regulatory conflicts. This strategic positioning likely made the startup a more attractive acquisition target for Meta, which must navigate complex international regulations as a U.S.-based company acquiring AI assets with Chinese origins.

At the same time, governments worldwide are increasing scrutiny of AI technologies. China has recently issued draft rules aimed at regulating AI systems that exhibit human-like interaction, reflecting growing concerns about ethical use, transparency, and societal impact. These regulatory developments add another layer of complexity to cross-border AI deals.

What the Acquisition Means for the Future

Meta’s acquisition of Manus underscores a broader shift toward autonomous AI agents that can function as digital workers rather than simple assistants. If successfully integrated, Manus’s technology could significantly enhance Meta’s AI offerings, making its platforms more efficient, intelligent, and competitive.

For users and businesses, this could mean smarter automation tools, more advanced research assistants, and AI systems capable of managing tasks with minimal supervision. For the AI industry as a whole, the deal highlights how quickly innovation is accelerating—and how strategic acquisitions are becoming essential for staying ahead.