Meta buys Chinese AI company Manus for better artificial intelligence tools

Meta’s Strategic Move into Advanced AI with Manus Acquisition

Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Manus, a fast-growing artificial intelligence startup originally founded in China and now based in Singapore, in a deal aimed at strengthening Meta’s most advanced AI capabilities across its products and services.[1][2]

The acquisition underscores Meta’s push to embed more powerful AI agents into its social platforms, productivity tools and enterprise offerings, as competition intensifies with other global leaders in generative and agentic AI.[2]

Who Is Manus?

Manus is an AI company known for developing a general-purpose AI agent capable of performing complex, multi-step tasks such as data analysis, coding, research automation and market intelligence.[1][2]

• Founded in China before relocating its headquarters to Singapore.[1]
• Built one of the first widely used general AI agents focused on real-world task execution.[2]
• Its agent has processed more than 147 trillion tokens and powered the creation of over 80 million virtual computers, according to the company.[2]

Manus markets its technology as an “execution layer” for AI: instead of just generating text or images, its agents are designed to coordinate tools, data and workflows to complete end-to-end tasks for users and businesses.[2]

Why Meta Is Acquiring Manus

Meta’s acquisition of Manus is aimed at accelerating its roadmap for advanced AI assistants and autonomous agents that can operate across Meta’s family of apps and future computing platforms.[2]

• More capable AI agents: Manus’ agent stack is expected to bolster Meta’s ability to handle complex workflows, from research to automation and software operations.[2]
• Enterprise and creator tools: Integrating Manus technology could enhance AI-powered productivity tools for businesses, developers and creators active on Meta’s platforms.[2]
• Infrastructure and scale: Meta’s global infrastructure is expected to give Manus’ technology a broader reach across billions of users.[2]

In announcing the deal, Manus framed the move as a way to continue its product vision on a “stronger, more sustainable foundation” while preserving its focus on general AI agents and long-horizon automation for users.[2]

Regulatory Scrutiny from China

The deal has drawn the attention of Chinese authorities, who have signaled that any overseas investment or acquisition involving key technology originating from China must comply with domestic laws and export-control rules.[1]

China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that enterprises engaged in overseas investment, technology export, cross-border data transfer and cross-border mergers and acquisitions “must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and fulfill statutory procedures.”[1]

According to reports cited by state-linked media, officials in Beijing are assessing:

• Whether Manus’ relocation from China to Singapore should have required an export license under Chinese law.[1]
• Whether the subsequent sale of the company and its technology stack to Meta falls under Chinese export-control and technology-transfer regulations.[1]

The review is described as being in an early stage and may not necessarily lead to a formal investigation, but it highlights the increasingly complex regulatory environment for cross-border AI deals involving Chinese-founded companies.[1]

What Changes for Manus Customers

Manus has emphasized that existing customers should see continuity rather than disruption in the short term.[2]

• The company says it will continue to operate from Singapore.[2]
• Current product subscriptions will still be sold and supported through Manus’ own app and website.[2]
• Whether Manus’ relocation from China to Singapore should have required an export license under Chinese law.[1]
• Whether Manus’ relocation from China to Singapore should have required an export license under Chinese law.[1]