The Day Meta Acquired a "General AI Agent" - What the Acquisition of Manus Indicates About the "Next AI War"

From "AI Answers" to "AI Acts"—The Significance of Meta's Acquisition of Manus

What Meta has acquired is not the next chatbot, but a prototype of a new workforce called a **"general-purpose AI agent."** According to Reuters, Meta has acquired the Chinese AI startup Manus, valued at an estimated $2 to $3 billion. While Meta has not disclosed the financial terms, it plans to operate and sell Manus's services while integrating them into its consumer and enterprise products like Meta AI. Reuters Japan

This news is making waves in the tech community because it is seen as a shift from the era of "AI generating text" to an era where AI "executes" tasks. CNA reports that Manus has been making headlines on platform X this year for claiming to be the "world's first general-purpose AI agent," capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution with minimal instructions. CNA

Who is Manus: The "Digital Employee" Targeted by Agent-Based AI

Reuters describes Manus's AI agent as a "digital employee" capable of independently executing research and automation with minimal instructions. Reuters Japan

Axios also highlights that Manus handles a wide range of "real-world tasks" such as market research, coding, data analysis, and resume screening, emphasizing its capabilities beyond typical chatbots and workflows. Axios

And when it comes to the common weakness of "amazing AI"—monetization—Manus is impressive. AP reports that Manus exceeded $100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after its launch. AP News

TechCrunch similarly reports that Manus has surpassed $100 million in ARR and has "millions of users," suggesting that the presence of "profitable AI" was a factor when Meta began negotiations. TechCrunch

Meta's Aim: More Than Just Strengthening Meta AI, a Foothold in "Enterprise AI"

The focus of the acquisition is not just to add "smart bots" to Facebook or Instagram. Axios notes that Manus is sold to enterprises on a subscription basis, suggesting that this could be a significant foothold for Meta in enterprise AI. Axios

AP also reports that Manus's technology is used in research and coding, and that Meta aims to expand its services. AP News

The reason Meta wants to delve into this area is simple. While AI investments are skyrocketing, consumer-facing AI is "popular but hard to monetize." In contrast, enterprise agents can easily justify their "cost-effectiveness," making them more likely to generate recurring revenue once adopted. If Meta can penetrate the "corporate field" through Manus, it could provide an alternative to its reliance on advertising.

However, there are potential issues: "Chinese Roots" and Trust

Manus's "Chinese roots" are a constant topic of discussion. TechCrunch points out that Manus's parent company was founded in Beijing and later moved to Singapore, a move that "could be problematic in Washington," and mentions that a U.S. Senator has expressed concerns about the investors. TechCrunch

CNA also reports that Manus is part of a group of Chinese companies based in Singapore, aiming to reduce geopolitical risks. CNA

AP goes further, reporting that according to Meta's spokesperson, **"there will be no remaining Chinese ownership after the transaction" and that services and operations in China will be halted**. AP News

In other words, Meta is trying to solve the complex issue of wanting the technology but not the Chinese elements by reorganizing capital relations and business scope.

Another issue is the trust of corporate clients. Axios touches on Meta's history of criticism and sanctions over data management, stating that "whether companies can trust Meta as an enterprise-grade provider" will be a focal point. Axios

AI that "performs tasks" will interact with calendars, internal documents, and customer information. Losing trust here means that even superior technology won't lead to adoption.

Social Media Reactions: Is "Anxiety" Prevailing Over Expectations?

Here's where it gets interesting. Beyond the numbers and strategies in the news, on social media, the sentiment of "acquisition = end" is more prominent than "acquisition = evolution."

1) Distrust that "It Will Deteriorate Once Meta Buys It"

On Manus's official Reddit community, reactions to the acquisition news are pessimistic, with comments like "I feel it's going to get worse" and "Another good AI app bites the dust..." Some even express concern that "we might have to log in with a Facebook account soon." Reddit

2) "Will It Kill the Startup or Accelerate It?"

In the general community (r/technology), there's a mix of cynicism, "Are big companies just going to buy everything?" and a wait-and-see attitude, "Will Meta's AI push accelerate, or will it crush the startup?" Reddit

3) From an Investment Perspective, "Growth in Enterprise" is Realistic

On the other hand, investment discussions present a pragmatic view: "To be accepted in the U.S. market, you need the umbrella of a large American company," and "Corporate contracts are more profitable than individual subscriptions." If Manus can advance in sales, trust, and partnerships under Meta, it could "truly grow big." Reddit

4) The "Meta is Desperate" Theory

In AI communities, there's also a perception of "desperation," with doubts about whether Meta can lead innovation due to its culture and past product management. Reddit

*Social media reactions are influenced by the attributes of the posters and community culture and do not represent the entire public opinion. However, the point that "caution is as strong as expectation" is a signal.*

What Lies Ahead: Three Key Points for Users

Finally, the following three points will be practically questioned after the acquisition.

1. Will the product become "ad-like"?
   The more convenient the agent, the more it interacts with user behavior and preference data. Can Meta design it to "not overdo it"?

2. Will it become a reliable operation for companies?
   The trust issue pointed out by Axios ultimately boils down to this. Axios

3. Is there a winning strategy in the "agent wars"?
   With formidable competitors like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, can Meta differentiate itself using Manus as a core? TechSpot also touches on competitive pressures. TechSpot

What Meta has acquired is not just technology but a "ticket to the future where AI works." However, as social media indicates, that future brings "fear" at the same speed as "convenience." Whether Manus will grow within Meta or dissolve—the turning point lies more in "trust design" than in technical prowess.