Meta Just Bought Manus, An AI Startup Everyone Has Been Talking About

Meta acquires Manus AI for $2B—its first profitable AI agent platform. What this means for Facebook, Instagram, and the future of AI.
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Meta Just Bought Manus, An AI Startup Everyone Has Been Talking About
Manus AI Acquisition: Meta Bets $2B on Profitable Agents In a bold move that signals a strategic pivot toward monetizable AI, Meta Platforms has acquired Manus, the Singapore-based AI startup that stunned Silicon Valley with its demo of autonomous AI agents capable of everything from screening job applicants to planning complex vacations. The $2 billion deal—confirmed by The Wall Street Journal—is Meta’s biggest AI acquisition to date and marks a rare win in an industry still searching for AI that actually makes money. Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images For users wondering whether this acquisition will impact their Facebook or Instagram experience: yes, and soon. Meta plans to integrate Manus’s agent technology directly into its core apps while keeping the startup operationally independent—a balance aimed at preserving innovation while scaling reach. Why Manus Stood Out in a Crowded AI Race When Manus unveiled its demo in spring 2025, it didn’t just showcase another chatbot…