In a significant move to bolster its artificial intelligence capabilities, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the acquisition of the AI startup Manus. This deal, reported by the Financial Times, stands as Meta's third-largest acquisition ever, trailing only its monumental purchases of WhatsApp and ScaleAI.
A Strategic Push in the Global AI Race
This acquisition underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg's aggressive strategy to advance in the competitive field of artificial intelligence. Meta is in a fierce race to match and surpass rivals like Google and OpenAI. In an official statement, Meta confirmed it will continue to operate and sell the Manus service while integrating its sophisticated technology into its own products, including the widely used Meta AI chatbot.
For the uninitiated, Manus is recognized as a top-tier autonomous general-purpose agent. Its AI systems are capable of performing complex tasks such as:
- Market research
- Coding and software development
- Advanced data analysis
Businesses and enterprises can subscribe to the Manus agent for a monthly fee of $20. The deal is particularly notable because it represents a rare instance of a U.S. technology giant acquiring a cutting-edge AI platform with Chinese origins, occurring at a time when AI is a sensitive point in relations between Washington and Beijing.
Ranking Among Meta's Biggest Deals
An early investor in Manus revealed that this acquisition ranks behind only two other massive deals in Meta's history:
- The $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp in 2014.
- The up to $15 billion investment in Scale AI earlier this year.
Manus, which employs around 100 people, was once hailed as the potential 'next DeepSeek'. The startup had also secured funding this year from the prominent U.S. venture capital firm Benchmark.
ZhenFund partner Liu Yuan applauded Meta's decision, stating that it signals the arrival of a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs on the global stage. "The era belonging to this generation of young Chinese entrepreneurs has arrived," he said, adding that Zuckerberg himself has been a long-time user of Manus's services.
Potential Scrutiny and Broader Implications
The report indicates that the acquisition is likely to attract regulatory and political scrutiny in both the United States and China. Benchmark's earlier investment in Manus had already drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers, who argued it violated restrictions on American investments in Chinese AI. Conversely, Manus's decision to relocate its headquarters to Singapore led some Chinese media outlets to label the company as "defectors."
Li Chengdong, founder of the Haitun internet think-tank, issued a warning, suggesting that China risks falling behind in the global AI competition if it does not properly value talent and respect capital rules. "An incredible company and team are being sold to the United States," he remarked.
Mark Zuckerberg's AI ambitions are clear and well-funded. He has articulated a vision of building "personal superintelligence," committing billions to AI infrastructure, recruiting top researchers, and acquiring promising startups. In 2025, Meta recruited Alexandr Wang, the founder of Scale AI, to lead its AI initiatives. Wang noted that Meta is expanding its recruitment efforts in Singapore, where Manus will continue to be based.
Meta faces increasing pressure to monetize its substantial AI investments. The company is currently trialing premium subscriptions for its Meta AI assistant, which offers advanced features like booking reservations and video creation.
