Meta is making a decisive push into autonomous artificial intelligence, confirming the acquisition of Manus, a fast-scaling startup focused on general-purpose AI agents.
The move signals Meta’s intent to embed “agentic” AI deeply across its consumer platforms rather than treat it as a standalone product.
Autonomous Agents Headed for Meta’s Core Apps
Meta Platforms announced it has acquired Manus in a deal reportedly valued between $2 billion and $3 billion. Meta plans to integrate Manus’s autonomous agent technology across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, enabling AI tools that can execute multi-step tasks with limited user input.
These agents are designed to handle complex workflows such as planning travel itineraries, screening job candidates, or conducting market research, moving beyond simple chat responses toward independent task completion. Meta views this capability as a foundation for future consumer and enterprise AI services.
A Startup That Reached $100M ARR in Eight Months
Manus’s growth trajectory played a central role in the acquisition. Founded in early 2025, the company reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue within eight months, a pace described as the fastest on record for a startup at that scale.
Originally founded in China, Manus later relocated its headquarters to Singapore, where it will continue operating its subscription-based service post-acquisition. As part of the deal, co-founder and CEO Xiao Hong, also known as Red, will join Meta as a Vice President, reporting directly to Meta COO Javier Olivan.
Addressing Regulatory and Geopolitical Sensitivities
Meta also addressed concerns tied to Manus’s origins. The company stated that all Chinese ownership interests have been fully bought out and that Manus will cease all operations in China. These steps were framed as necessary to mitigate U.S. regulatory scrutiny and ensure the technology can be deployed broadly across Meta’s platforms without geopolitical complications.
Fits Into Meta’s Expanding AI Ambitions
The Manus deal builds on a series of aggressive AI moves by Meta in 2025. Earlier in the year, the company spent $14.3 billion to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI, bringing founder Alexandr Wang onboard to lead Meta Superintelligence Labs.
Meta is also developing next-generation AI models, internally codenamed “Mango” and “Avocado,” with releases targeted for 2026. Supporting these efforts, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has committed up to $600 billion toward AI infrastructure over the next three years.
From Chatbots to Autonomous Execution
With Manus, Meta is signaling a shift from conversational AI toward systems that act, not just respond. By pairing autonomous agents with its massive user base and growing AI infrastructure, Meta appears to be positioning itself for a future where AI operates continuously in the background, executing tasks across its ecosystem rather than waiting for prompts.
