Meta Group has announced its intention to acquire the artificial intelligence startup Manus, founded by Chinese entrepreneurs and currently based in Singapore. This acquisition is part of the American giant's strategy to rapidly strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities and integrate them across all of its platforms, both consumer and professional. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. However, a source close to the matter suggests a valuation between $2 billion and $3 billion. Manus has not yet officially responded to the announcement.
An emerging player presented as a rival to Western models
Manus made headlines earlier this year by unveiling what it describes as the first general artificial intelligence agent capable of making decisions and executing tasks autonomously, requiring less instruction than traditional chatbots. This approach has led to frequent comparisons with DeepSeek and attracted the attention of major players in the industry. The company claims its agent's performance surpasses that of competing solutions developed by Western groups. This momentum has piqued the interest of Chinese authorities, amidst heightened technological competition between Beijing and Washington. Manus has also forged a strategic partnership with Alibaba to collaborate on the development of advanced AI models.
For what purpose?
As part of the acquisition, Meta plans to leverage and commercialize Manus's technology, notably by integrating it into Meta AI and its enterprise services. The stated objective is to offer more autonomous and efficient tools capable of expanding the uses of AI within the group's ecosystem. Backed by its parent company, Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, Manus raised approximately $75 million this year, at a valuation then estimated at around $500 million. The American fund Benchmark led this funding round. Like many Chinese technology companies, the startup chose to establish itself in Singapore to mitigate the risks associated with geopolitical and trade tensions between China and the United States. This acquisition illustrates Meta's ambition to position itself at the forefront of the global race for artificial intelligence, relying on technologies developed outside of traditional American and European channels.
