Meta Acquires Manus: A Strategic AI Deal Reshaping the Global Artificial Intelligence Race

 

Meta’s acquisition of Manus, an advanced artificial intelligence platform, marks a major turning point in the global AI industry. Beyond its technological impact, the deal carries significant economic and geopolitical implications, highlighting the intensifying competition between U.S. and Asian tech giants in the race for AI leadership.

In a climate of rising tensions between the United States and China, this transaction stands out as a rare case of a U.S. technology giant acquiring an AI company founded by a team with Chinese roots.

 

A Rare U.S.–China AI Acquisition

Meta confirmed the acquisition of Manus, an AI platform developed by the startup Butterfly Effect. Such cross-border transactions have become increasingly uncommon due to U.S. restrictions on investments linked to Chinese AI development, as well as growing concerns around data security and technological sovereignty.

According to Meta, the company will oversee the operation, commercialization, and integration of Manus’ technology across its ecosystem, particularly within Meta AI, the group’s AI assistant deployed on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

 
Deal Value: A Multi-Billion-Dollar Strategic Investment

While Meta has not officially disclosed the purchase price, multiple sources estimate the deal to be worth between $2 billion and $3 billion, making it one of Meta’s most significant acquisitions in recent years.

An early investor in Manus told Reuters that the transaction ranks among Meta’s largest strategic moves, following:

• WhatsApp, acquired for $19 billion in 2014,
• Scale AI, in which Meta reportedly invested up to $15 billion in 2025 for a 49% stake.

 

Manus: A General-Purpose AI Agent at the Core of Innovation

Meta describes Manus as one of the most advanced general-purpose AI agents currently available. Unlike traditional chatbots, Manus is designed to operate with a high degree of autonomy and can:

• conduct automated market research,
• write and analyze software code,
• process and interpret large-scale data sets,
• execute complex tasks with minimal human input.

Manus operates on a subscription model starting at $20 per month, primarily targeting businesses, developers, and data professionals.

 

Mark Zuckerberg’s AI Strategy Against OpenAI and Google

The acquisition aligns with Mark Zuckerberg’s long-term AI vision, as Meta invests heavily to compete with OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.

Zuckerberg has repeatedly emphasized his ambition to build what he calls “personal superintelligence”—AI systems capable of assisting individuals and organizations across daily life and professional workflows. To achieve this, Meta has accelerated:

• investments in AI data centers and infrastructure,
• recruitment of top-tier AI researchers,
• acquisitions of specialized AI startups.

 

Geopolitical Risks and Regulatory Scrutiny

Despite its strategic value, the deal may trigger regulatory and political scrutiny in both Washington and Beijing. Manus employs approximately 100 people worldwide, while its parent company, Butterfly Effect, recently raised capital in a funding round led by the U.S. venture capital firm Benchmark.

Benchmark has faced criticism in the U.S. for allegedly pushing the boundaries of rules restricting American investment in Chinese-linked AI ventures. Meanwhile, Manus’ decision to relocate its core team to Singapore has drawn criticism from Chinese media, which view the move as a loss of domestic AI talent.

 

Viral Growth and Global Ambitions

Manus gained widespread attention after launching what it claims to be the world’s first truly general autonomous AI agent, capable of decision-making and task execution with far fewer prompts than conventional chatbots such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek.

The company states that:

• Its products are not available in China,
• Its AI agent outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch on several benchmarks,
• It maintains a strategic partnership with Alibaba to collaborate on next-generation AI models.

 

Meta Under Pressure: Monetizing Meta AI

Despite aggressive investment in AI, Meta faces increasing pressure from investors to demonstrate clear paths to profitability. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company is considering the launch of paid subscriptions for Meta AI, enabling advanced features such as:

• automated booking and reservations,
• complex task planning and execution,
• AI-assisted video creation and content production.

 
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Bet on the Future of AI

Meta’s acquisition of Manus represents far more than a standard tech deal. It is a high-stakes strategic bet that blends cutting-edge innovation, global competition, and geopolitical risk. The success of this move may ultimately determine Meta’s position in the next era of artificial intelligence—and whether it can turn advanced AI into a sustainable and profitable business model.