Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Jakarta, Gotrade News - Meta Platforms, Inc. just announced its acquisition of Chinese AI startup, Manus. This move cements Mark Zuckerberg's ambition to build "superintelligence" that goes way beyond standard chatbots.
Key Takeaways
- Manus focuses on "general agents" that execute tasks autonomously, not just text summaries.
- This is Meta’s fifth acquisition in 2025 to win the AI infrastructure race against OpenAI.
- The tech will be integrated directly into consumer and business products across the Meta ecosystem.
Unlike your typical language models, Manus positions itself as a "general agent"—basically a digital employee. This tech is designed to handle complex tasks like independent research, data analysis, and workflow automation without constant hand-holding.
According to a report by The Register, Manus claimed to hit US$100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after launch.
Meta plans to operate the Manus service independently while also baking it into Meta AI. This means users get results that are more "actionable," rather than just passive text answers.
This acquisition marks Meta's fifth purchase in 2025 focused purely on artificial intelligence technology.
Reuters notes that the tech giant has allocated at least US$70 billion in capital expenditure this year for AI infrastructure.
The startup, originally part of Beijing Butterfly Effect, moved its headquarters to Singapore before the deal closed. This pivot is seen as a strategic move to minimize operational risks amid geopolitical tensions between the US and China.
The market focus is now shifting from who has the biggest language model to who has the most functional agent. For investors, this signals that AI monetization is entering a phase of real productivity—where the actual value lies.
Reference:
- Reuters, Meta to acquire Chinese startup Manus to boost advanced AI features. Accessed on December 30, 2025
- The Register, Zuck buys Chinese AI company Manus that claims it deals in actions, not words. Accessed on December 30, 2025
- Featured Image: Shutterstock
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