Can China Really Block Meta’s Manus AI Acquisition?

Artificial intelligence “agents” that can carry out complex tasks with minimal human intervention are attracting heavy investment as giant technology companies look beyond chatbots to develop more autonomous systems.

One of the most prominent examples is Manus. The platform’s advanced capabilities caused a sensation when it was launched by a Chinese startup in early 2025. In December, Meta Platforms Inc., the owner of Facebook and WhatsApp, agreed to acquire it for more than $2 billion.