Meta Platforms has acquired Manus, a fast-growing artificial intelligence startup that has attracted widespread attention for its advanced AI agents, marking a significant move in Meta’s efforts to strengthen its position in the global AI race.
The acquisition, announced on December 30, 2025, will see Manus continue operating as an independent company while its underlying technology is gradually integrated into Meta’s ecosystem, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Meta confirmed that Manus’ AI agents will complement Meta AI, the company’s existing chatbot already available across its platforms.
Manus has gained prominence over the past year for developing highly capable AI agents designed to autonomously perform complex digital tasks, ranging from information synthesis to workflow automation. The startup’s rapid rise made it one of the most talked-about AI companies of 2025, particularly as demand grew for agent-based systems that go beyond traditional conversational chatbots.
Meta said the acquisition aligns with its long-term vision of building more proactive and intelligent digital assistants that can support users across social media, messaging, and productivity environments. By incorporating Manus’ agents, Meta aims to enhance user experiences with AI tools that can act on behalf of users, rather than simply respond to prompts.
Despite the acquisition, Meta emphasized that Manus will retain operational independence, a move intended to preserve the startup’s innovative culture and fast development pace. This structure mirrors Meta’s broader strategy of allowing acquired AI teams to continue pushing research boundaries while benefiting from Meta’s scale, data, and infrastructure.
The deal comes as competition intensifies among major technology companies to secure top AI talent and proprietary systems. Firms including Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Amazon have all accelerated investments in advanced AI models and agents, viewing them as the next frontier in consumer and enterprise technology.
For Meta, the acquisition of Manus strengthens its push to embed AI more deeply across its platforms, potentially reshaping how billions of users interact with social networks and messaging apps. As AI agents become more integrated into daily digital life, Meta is positioning itself to remain a central player in the evolution from reactive chatbots to autonomous, task-oriented artificial intelligence.
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