San Francisco, United States — Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced the acquisition of Manus, a cutting-edge AI startup originally founded in China but now based in Singapore, in a move to strengthen its foothold in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector. The acquisition is set to accelerate Meta’s development of autonomous AI agents capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human input.
The deal, reported to be worth several billion dollars, is among Meta’s largest acquisitions in recent years, following high-profile deals like WhatsApp. Manus has attracted global attention for its general-purpose AI agents, which can autonomously handle tasks such as data analysis, coding, workflow automation, and market research, positioning the startup at the forefront of next-generation AI innovation.
Founded in 2022 by Chinese entrepreneurs, Manus relocated its headquarters to Singapore amid geopolitical tensions. This move allowed the company to serve millions of users and businesses internationally while mitigating regulatory and operational concerns. Meta has indicated that Manus will continue to operate as a standalone service for existing customers while being integrated into Meta’s AI ecosystem, including Meta AI, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
The acquisition highlights Meta’s strategy to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google, emphasizing the growing importance of agentic AI — systems capable of planning, decision-making, and autonomous action. Analysts say the deal provides Meta not only with advanced AI technology but also with a skilled team and an established user base, positioning the company for accelerated innovation in intelligent automation.
Despite Manus’s Chinese origins, the company’s relocation and operational focus in Singapore help alleviate geopolitical concerns. Reports suggest Meta will sever any remaining corporate ties to China, a step critical for regulatory approvals and global expansion of its AI products.
Observers note that this acquisition reflects the broader industry trend of tech giants aggressively investing in AI capabilities as the next frontier for digital services and user engagement. With Manus now under its umbrella, Meta is poised to offer more autonomous and intelligent features across its platforms, potentially transforming the way users interact with its apps and services.
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