In a major strategic move reflecting the intensifying competition in the technology sector, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced on Tuesday its full acquisition of Manus, a company specializing in the development of advanced artificial intelligence tools. This move comes as the American giant continues to diversify its investments to strengthen its leading position in the global technological arms race.
Details of the billion-dollar deal
Although the official statement did not disclose the exact financial value of the deal, reliable reports published by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, confirmed that the acquisition exceeded $2 billion. According to the agreement, Manos will continue to operate its subscription service for existing users without interruption for the time being, indicating Meta's desire to maintain the startup's customer base and current momentum.
Manus's meteoric rise
The rise of Manus is one of the most prominent success stories in the world of artificial intelligence in recent times. Founded in China before relocating its headquarters to Singapore, the company launched its first conversational model earlier this year. What distinguishes Manus is its superior ability to function as an "intelligent agent" (AI agent), not just a chatbot, as it can independently perform complex tasks such as conducting in-depth market research, writing and debugging code, analyzing big data, and creating graphs.
This technological superiority was reflected in the company's financial performance, as Manos claimed to have generated revenues exceeding $100 million just 8 months after launching its model, while its projected annual revenues exceeded $125 million, which are record figures for a startup in this short timeframe.
Strategic context: The era of "independent agents"
This deal takes on particular significance when viewed within the context of the current evolution of artificial intelligence. The tech world is currently transitioning from "generative AI," which is limited to producing text and images, to "agent AI." Through this acquisition, Meta aims to integrate advanced automation technologies into its consumer and enterprise products, including Meta AI Assistant.
This trend means that future Meta assistants will not only answer questions, but will also have the ability to perform tasks on behalf of the user, such as booking appointments, online shopping, and managing complex schedules, which represents the next leap in digital user experience.
The impact of the deal on the competitive landscape
This acquisition puts Meta in direct and fiercer competition with its main rivals such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. While other companies focus on developing large language models, Meta appears to be aiming for a shortcut to practical applications that serve both businesses and everyday users. The hefty price tag of the deal also reflects the high market valuation of companies that offer practical and immediately applicable automation solutions, potentially paving the way for more similar acquisitions in Silicon Valley in the coming period.
