Meta buys Manus to scale AI agents across its platform

Group 1 - Meta has added $18 billion in market cap following a $2 billion acquisition of Manis, a Singapore-based developer of general-purpose AI agents, which has significantly benefited the company [1] - The AI agent from Manis can perform complex tasks such as market research, coding, and data analysis, enabling small businesses to enhance their capabilities [2] - The acquisition is intended to accelerate AI innovation for businesses, contributing to a product line that already generates $10 billion annually [2] Group 2 - The acquisition has been viewed as a strategic win for Meta, with analysts comparing its potential impact to that of Instagram or WhatsApp [3] - There are concerns regarding the security of US AI leadership, but recent market trades have reversed, indicating renewed confidence [3] - Mark Zuckerberg, holding 60% voting control, can make significant investment decisions without needing external approval [3]