Meta Acquires Manus AI: Zuckerberg's Big Bet on Autonomous AI Agents in $2B+ Deal

Meta Buys Manus AI: A Major Step Forward in Agentic AI and Autonomous AgentsIn a blockbuster end-of-year announcement on December 29, 2025, Meta Platforms revealed its acquisition of Manus, the Singapore-based AI startup behind one of the most talked-about general-purpose AI agents of the year. The deal, reportedly valued at over $2 billion according to sources cited by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, marks Meta's latest aggressive move in the AI arms race.Manus, originally founded in China before relocating headquarters to Singapore amid geopolitical tensions, exploded onto the scene earlier in 2025 with a viral demo video showcasing its AI agent's ability to autonomously handle complex tasks like screening job candidates, planning vacations, analyzing stock portfolios, coding, market research, and data automation—all with minimal user prompts.This Meta Manus acquisition 2025 caps a year of heavy AI investments for Mark Zuckerberg's company, following deals like its stake in Scale AI and purchases of other AI-focused startups. For those searching for Meta AI acquisitions or agentic AI news 2025, this deal signals a clear focus on building practical, revenue-generating AI products.What Makes Manus AI So Special?Manus differentiates itself in the crowded AI landscape by focusing on autonomous AI agents—systems that go beyond chatbots to independently execute multi-step tasks using tools like web browsers. Launched in March 2025, Manus quickly claimed superior performance over competitors like OpenAI's DeepResearch tool.Key achievements highlighted by the company include:Processing over 147 trillion tokens Creating more than 80 million virtual computers Reaching $100-125 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) just eight months after launch—the fastest startup to hit this milestone globally Serving millions of users and businesses via paid subscriptions ($39-$199/month tiers) Manus operates as a subscription service, allowing users to deploy "digital employees" for research, automation, and workflows. Its rapid growth and viral marketing on X (formerly Twitter) made it a hot target for big tech.For in-depth coverage, see reports from Reuters reuters.com , Bloomberg bloomberg.com , and TechCrunch techcrunch.com .Details of the Meta-Manus DealWhile exact financial terms remain undisclosed by Meta, insiders report a valuation exceeding $2 billion—matching what Manus was seeking in its next funding round. The startup had previously raised $75 million led by Benchmark, with participation from investors including Tencent.Post-acquisition:Manus will continue operating independently as a subscription service Its technology and team (led by CEO Xiao Hong) will integrate into Meta's ecosystem Advanced agents will roll out across consumer apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and business products, enhancing Meta AI All remaining Chinese ownership interests and operations in China will be discontinued to address US regulatory concerns Manus CEO Xiao Hong stated: "Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made."Meta's Broader AI Strategy in 2025This acquisition fits into Meta's massive AI push, including billions in infrastructure spending and open-source efforts like Llama models. With investors questioning the ROI on AI capex, acquiring a revenue-positive product like Manus provides immediate monetization potential—perhaps fueling a rumored "Meta AI+" subscription.The deal also bolsters Meta's competition against OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic in the race toward AGI (artificial general intelligence) and practical agentic systems. Alexandr Wang, Meta's Chief AI Officer (from the Scale AI deal), publicly welcomed the Manus team on X.Geopolitical Context and ControversiesManus's Chinese origins (founded by Xiao Hong in Wuhan via parent company Butterfly Effect) raised eyebrows, especially after US venture investments came under scrutiny earlier in 2025. Meta has emphasized full decoupling from China post-deal, aligning with broader US-China tech tensions.Critics like Senator John Cornyn previously questioned American funding of China-linked AI firms. However, Manus's Singapore base and rapid Western adoption helped smooth the path.Impact on the AI Landscape in 2026The Manus AI acquisition by Meta accelerates the shift toward agentic AI—systems that act independently rather than just respond. Expect enhanced features in Meta AI, such as autonomous task handling for billions of users.For businesses, this could mean scaled automation tools integrated into WhatsApp and Workplace. Competitors may respond with their own agent advancements, intensifying the AI agent race.Industry reactions have been positive, with many viewing this as validation for autonomous agents. As one analyst noted, Manus brings Meta not just tech, but a proven, money-making AI product amid heavy spending.Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Meta AI Agents?With Manus onboard, 2026 could see Meta launching more sophisticated AI assistants capable of real-world actions. This deal positions Meta strongly in the emerging "AI agent economy."Stay tuned for updates as integration details emerge. This Meta acquires Manus move underscores Zuckerberg's all-in bet on AI as the future of social, productivity, and beyond.