In a major move that underlines its aggressive push into artificial intelligence, Meta Platforms Inc. has acquired AI startup Manus for more than $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal marks one of Meta’s largest AI acquisitions to date and signals its intent to compete more directly with rivals such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft in the rapidly evolving AI agent space .

Meta’s Biggest AI Bet Yet

The acquisition, first reported by international media outlets, values Manus at over $2 billion, reflecting the growing importance of autonomous AI agents in the tech industry. Meta has not officially disclosed the transaction value, but sources indicate the price exceeded initial expectations due to Manus’s fast adoption and advanced technology .

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly stated that AI agents capable of executing complex tasks independently will be central to the company’s long-term vision. The Manus deal aligns with Meta’s strategy of moving beyond traditional chatbots toward “general-purpose AI agents” that can perform research, automate workflows, and act as digital assistants across platforms.

What Is Manus?

Manus is best known for developing a general-purpose autonomous AI agent, designed to complete multi-step digital tasks with minimal human input. Unlike standard generative AI tools that primarily respond to prompts, Manus’s system can plan actions, execute tasks, and adapt based on outcomes.

According to industry analysts, Manus gained attention for:

• Advanced task automation capabilities
• Strong early adoption among developers and businesses
• An architecture focused on agent-based AI rather than simple text generation

Originally founded with Chinese roots, Manus later established operations outside China, a factor that reportedly made the acquisition more feasible amid growing regulatory scrutiny over data security and geopolitics.

Why Meta Wants Manus

Meta is facing intense competition in AI. While its open-source Llama models have gained popularity, rivals have surged ahead in commercial AI agents and enterprise tools. Acquiring Manus gives Meta:

• Ready-to-deploy AI agent technology
• Experienced AI researchers and engineers
• A faster route to integrating autonomous agents into Meta AI, WhatsApp, Instagram, and business tools

Experts say the acquisition allows Meta to accelerate development timelines by years compared to building similar technology in-house.

Integration Plans and Compliance

Meta is expected to integrate Manus’s technology into its broader AI ecosystem while continuing to support existing users of the Manus platform. Reports indicate Meta plans to fully sever Manus’s remaining China-linked operations to meet regulatory and data governance requirements in the US and Europe .

This step reflects growing geopolitical caution among US tech giants as governments tighten oversight on AI, data privacy, and cross-border technology transfers.

Impact on the AI Industry

The Meta-Manus deal highlights a broader trend: Big Tech is racing to acquire AI agent startups before the market matures. Autonomous agents are increasingly seen as the next evolution of AI — capable of acting as virtual employees rather than passive tools.

Industry watchers believe the acquisition could:

• Intensify competition in AI automation
• Push faster commercialization of AI agents
• Raise valuations of other AI startups working on similar technology

For Meta, the deal strengthens its position as a serious contender in next-generation AI, moving beyond social media toward a future shaped by intelligent digital systems.

The Road Ahead

While the acquisition is widely seen as a strategic win, challenges remain. Integrating Manus’s technology at Meta’s scale will require balancing innovation, safety, and regulatory compliance. Still, the move underscores a clear message: Meta is betting big on AI agents as the future of computing.

As the AI race accelerates, the Meta-Manus deal may be remembered as a defining moment in the shift from conversational AI to fully autonomous digital intelligence.