In a bold move that underscores the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape, Meta has acquired Manus, a groundbreaking Chinese AI startup, for an impressive sum exceeding $2 billion. The transaction, reported by The Wall Street Journal, represents one of the most significant investments in a China-based AI company to date.

Founded initially under the name Butterfly Effect, Manus emerged in March 2025 as a pioneering force in autonomous task automation. The company distinguished itself by developing what it claims is "the first general AI agent" capable of executing complex tasks independently, rather than merely generating conceptual ideas.

Manus's technological prowess stems from its innovative approach of integrating multiple third-party AI models, including Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet and various iterations of Alibaba's Qwen. The startup's platform specializes in automating critical business functions such as market research, coding, sales data analysis, and website creation - capabilities that have attracted significant attention in the tech ecosystem.

Despite initial skepticism from some industry observers who described the product as "devilishly optimized for influencers," Manus rapidly gained traction. The company boasts serving millions of users and businesses, achieving an impressive annualized revenue exceeding $100 million in just eight months after its launch.

Strategic organizational shifts preceded the Meta acquisition, with Manus relocating its headquarters from Beijing to Singapore and implementing substantial workforce reductions. This global expansion strategy seemingly positioned the company attractively for potential investment.

Manus CEO Xiao Hong expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made." The transaction represents a significant milestone in Meta's ongoing AI development strategy and demonstrates the company's commitment to expanding its technological capabilities through strategic acquisitions.