Meta acquires AI tool Manos: Full details
In a strategic move aimed at consolidating its dominance in the global technology race, Meta, the American company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced on Monday its full acquisition of the advanced artificial intelligence tool Manus. Manus was developed by Butterfly Effect, a company with roots in China that is now headquartered in Singapore, amidst a global landscape marked by escalating technological competition between Washington and Beijing.
Superior capabilities that surpass traditional chatbots
This deal represents a fundamental shift in the type of AI tools that major companies seek to acquire. Unlike large language models and popular chatbots like the American ChatGPT or the Chinese DeepSec, which simply provide text and responses based on commands, Manos is designed to function as an "intelligent AI agent." This feature allows the tool to perform complex, autonomous tasks from start to finish without constant human intervention.
According to Meta's statement, Manos has the capability to conduct comprehensive market research, write and execute code, analyze big data, and even independently sort resumes and book travel. These capabilities make it a complete productivity tool geared towards the business sector, which explains the overwhelming demand for it since its invitation-only launch last March.
Dimensions of the deal in light of the global technological conflict
This deal comes at a highly sensitive geopolitical time. The company developing the tool was founded in Beijing, but relocated its headquarters to Singapore last June, a move analysts see as an attempt to distance itself from trade restrictions and political tensions between the United States and China. Despite this relocation, the deal is expected to face intense scrutiny from US regulators, given the technology's Chinese origins and ongoing concerns about data security and technological superiority.
The developer is valued at around $500 million, according to Bloomberg reports, reflecting the high value that Meta places on AI technologies that are capable of action and implementation, not just generation.
Meta's new strategy and diversification of income sources
The acquisition's significance extends beyond the technical aspects to include the economic implications for Meta. By acquiring Manus, Mark Zuckerberg's group is making a strong entry into the subscription-based Software as a Service (SaaS) market, a model distinct from the traditional advertising model the company primarily relies on. Meta confirmed that it will maintain the tool's existing subscription model via its app and website, continuing operations from Singapore to serve millions of users worldwide, thus opening a new and sustainable avenue for revenue in the near future.
