Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, an advanced artificial intelligence agent developed by startup Butterfly Effect, a company founded in China and now operating from Singapore. The deal marks another major step in Meta’s aggressive expansion into artificial intelligence. While financial terms were not disclosed, the acquisition highlights Meta’s ambition to lead the next phase of AI development. As a result, the announcement immediately drew strong attention across the global tech industry.
Unlike traditional AI chatbots, AI agents such as Manus can independently perform complex tasks rather than simply responding to prompts. Manus is capable of summarising large volumes of resumes, building stock analysis websites, and completing multi-step digital workflows. Therefore, experts view such agents as a major evolution in artificial intelligence. Their ability to act autonomously makes them highly valuable for businesses and everyday users alike.
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Meta said the acquisition will allow it to bring a powerful AI agent to billions of users across its platforms. The company believes the technology will unlock new opportunities for creators, developers, and businesses within its ecosystem. Moreover, Meta emphasized that AI agents will play a key role in future digital productivity. Consequently, the deal aligns closely with the company’s long-term vision for intelligent automation.
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Manus chief executive Xiao Hong described the partnership as a turning point, saying it enables the technology to scale far beyond previous limits. He highlighted that AI is entering an era where systems can act, create, and deliver real outcomes. With Meta’s infrastructure and reach, Manus can now grow at unprecedented speed. This collaboration, therefore, significantly accelerates the agent’s global potential.
Meanwhile, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence by funding acquisitions, hiring top engineers, and expanding data centre capacity. Analysts estimate the Manus acquisition could be valued at more than $2 billion. However, concerns remain that regulators may scrutinize the deal due to Manus’ Chinese origins. Amid rising US-China tech rivalry, regulatory approval could become a critical hurdle.