Meta is acquiring Manus, a Chinese-founded AI start-up, for approximately $2 billion as part of its strategy to enhance its subscription services and AI capabilities. The deal, which was finalized in December, aims to incorporate Manus’s technology into the Meta AI app, enabling the development of “general-purpose agents” that can perform complex tasks with minimal user input.
Manus has relocated from China to Singapore, promoting its technology’s ability to operate autonomously without constant prompts. Despite this acquisition, Meta will continue offering standalone Manus subscriptions for business clients. However, the deal faces scrutiny from Beijing, which is examining whether it violates Chinese laws regarding tech exports and national security.
Additionally, Meta is diversifying its revenue streams by expanding subscription options across its platforms, including paid ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in the UK, as well as paid verification services.
