In a quick deal that could supercharge Meta’s push into smarter AI, the company behind Facebook has agreed to buy Manus, a startup from Singapore with Chinese founders. The news dropped on December 29, 2025, and values Manus at more than $2 billion, with some sources saying up to $3 billion. This is Meta’s third-biggest buy ever, after WhatsApp in 2014 and a big investment in Scale AI earlier in 2025. The whole deal came together in just 10 days, showing how fast things move in the AI world.
Manus started in early 2025 and quickly became a hot name in tech. It makes AI agents – smart programs that can do tasks on their own, like research or helping with daily stuff. Their main products are Butterfly Effect, an AI for deep research, and Monica, a personal assistant that works across apps and devices. Manus already has millions of paying users, which is rare for a young AI company. The founders are from China but based the firm in Singapore to tap into global talent and markets.
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has been spending big on AI this year. They want to build “general-purpose agents” that can handle all kinds of jobs for users and businesses. Right now, Meta’s AI tools, like those in Messenger or WhatsApp, are good but lack the advanced task-handling that Manus brings. By buying Manus, Meta can mix their tech into its apps, making things like chatting with AI or getting help with work much better. Manus will keep running its services for now, but the team will work on speeding up new features with Meta’s help.
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Why is this Zuckerberg’s smartest AI move? First, it adds real users and working products right away, unlike building from scratch. Meta has been playing catch-up in AI agents, where rivals like OpenAI and Google are ahead. Manus’ skills in autonomous agents could help Meta stand out, especially in consumer apps with billions of users. Plus, getting a team with Chinese roots might help Meta in global AI, even with tensions between the US and China. Analysts say this caps a year of bold AI steps for Meta, like open-sourcing models and hiring top talent.
But there are risks. Deals with Chinese ties can face US government checks for security reasons. Manus is in Singapore, which might ease that, but watch for reviews. Also, blending teams and tech takes time, and Meta has had mixed luck with past buys like Oculus for VR.
Meta started as Facebook in 2004 and now owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and more. Zuckerberg has bet big on AI, saying it’s the future after metaverse efforts slowed. This acquisition fits that plan, adding ready-made AI smarts to keep users hooked.
As 2025 ends, this deal shows AI is still heating up. If it works, Manus could make Meta’s apps smarter and more helpful. For now, both sides are excited about the “next era of innovation.” Stay tuned for how it plays out in 2026.
