Tech giant Meta buys Chinese-founded AI firm Manus, New Era

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Meta buys

A Huge Move in the AI World

The world of tech just got a major update this week. On Monday, December 29, 2025, the giant company Meta made a big announcement. They have officially bought a young but powerful AI firm called Manus. This startup was first founded in China before moving its main office to Singapore. Meta buys

While Meta did not say exactly how much they paid, reports say the deal is worth over $2 billion. This is one of the biggest moves Meta has made in a very long time. It shows that Mark Zuckerberg is serious about winning the race to build the smartest AI. Fans and experts are now watching to see how this changes the apps we use every day.

What Makes Manus Special?

Manus is not just another chatbot like the ones we have seen before. Most AI tools today, like ChatGPT, mainly give you text and advice. However, Manus is an “agent” that can actually do work for you. For example, it can go onto the web to find a new house or plan a full trip.

It can even write and test computer code without a human helping it. People call it an “autonomous” tool because it thinks for itself to finish a task. This kind of tech is the “next level” of artificial intelligence. By buying Manus, Meta now owns some of the best “doing” tech in the world.

The Team Behind the Tech

The success of Manus comes from a very talented team. The firm was started by a man named Xiao Hong in 2022. He first built a popular tool called Monica.Im before moving into big AI agents. His team includes Ji Yichao, who was a famous tech prodigy in China. They built a system that uses “multi-agents” to solve hard problems.

This means different parts of the AI work together like a real team of people. One part plans the job, while another part does the work. This clever design helped Manus reach $100 million in sales in just eight months. Now, this entire team of experts is joining the ranks at Meta.

Meta buys

Integrating into the Meta Apps

Meta plans to put this new tech into the apps you already love. Soon, you might see these smart agents inside Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Instead of just chatting with Meta AI, you could ask it to buy a gift or fix a photo. The goal is to create a “universal assistant” that lives inside your phone.

It would be able to handle complex chores while you do other things. This makes the apps much more useful for businesses and regular users alike. Meta wants to make sure their AI is the most helpful one on the market. This purchase is a giant step toward making that a reality for billions of people.

Staying Independent in Singapore

Even though Meta now owns the company, Manus will not disappear. Meta said that Manus will keep its main office in Singapore. They will also keep selling their own subscription service to their fans. This allows the team to keep being creative while having the money of a big giant.

CEO Xiao Hong will now become a Vice President at Meta to help lead their AI plans. This “hybrid” approach is a smart way to keep the startup spirit alive. It also helps Meta avoid some of the tricky rules about buying Chinese tech. By staying in Singapore, Manus can work with both the East and the West.

The Race with OpenAI and Google

This deal is a big punch in the fight against other tech giants. For a while, people thought Meta’s own AI, called Llama, was falling behind. Rivals like OpenAI and Google have been moving very fast with their own agents. By buying Manus, Meta has “plugged a hole” in its strategy.

Meta buys

They now have a proven tool that people are already paying for and using. It shows that Meta is willing to spend big to keep its top spot. Mark Zuckerberg has made AI his “number one priority” over the metaverse. This acquisition proves that he is putting his money where his mouth is.

A New Way to Work

The arrival of Manus inside Meta could change how we work at our jobs. Imagine a small business owner who needs a new website. Instead of hiring a team, they could just ask the AI agent to build it. The agent can find the data, write the code, and launch the site on its own.

It works in a “virtual computer” in the cloud, so it stays on even if your phone is off. This kind of “agentic AI” is meant to take over boring or hard digital tasks. It frees up humans to do more creative and fun things. For Meta, this is a way to make their tools vital for every office in the world.

Dealing with Global Tensions

Buying a Chinese-founded firm is a bold move during a time of high tension. The US and China are often at odds over who will lead the tech world. Some analysts worry that the US government might look closely at this deal. They want to make sure that “American data” is safe and secure.

However, because Manus moved to Singapore and uses models like Claude, it is seen as safer. Meta is being very careful to follow all the rules of global trade. They want to show that great tech can come from anywhere in the world. This deal could be a “bridge” between different tech cultures.

What Users Can Expect in 2026

As we move into 2026, the fruits of this deal will become very clear. We will likely see “Meta AI Agents” that can handle our busy lives. You might tell your phone, “Find me a hotel for my trip,” and it will just do it. You won’t have to look at ten different websites anymore.

Meta buys

The AI will do the research, check the price, and even book the room. This will save people a lot of time and effort every single day. Meta is betting that this “helpfulness” will keep people using their apps for years to’come. It is a future where the AI is a “doer” and not just a “talker.” Meta buys

The Future is Autonomous Meta buys

In conclusion, Meta’s purchase of Manus is a massive event for the tech industry. It brings the power of autonomous AI agents to the world’s largest social network. By spending $2 billion, Meta has secured the talent and tools to lead the next era. While there are still some hurdles with rules and rivals, the path is clear. Meta buys

The way we use our phones and computers is about to change forever. We are moving from a world of “search and click” to a world of “ask and done.” This “Butterfly Effect” from a small startup will soon be felt by billions of people. Meta buys

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