The deal arrives as Meta accelerates its AI investments to compete with Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI — and as the industry’s focus shifts from conversational demos to systems that can reliably produce artifacts, complete workflows, and operate with minimal supervision.

Meta said that Manus’s team will join the company to help develop general-purpose AI agents across Meta’s products.

Mark Mahaney, head of internet research at Evercore ISI, joins CNBC’s ‘The Exchange’ to discuss what Meta’s acquisition of intelligent-agent firm Manus reveals about the tech giant’s AI strategy, and more.

Meta's acquisition of AI agent Manus spotlights potential automation across various roles, from analysts to virtual assistants.

The Dogs of the Dow have their best year since 2019, more companies are expected to use AI in 2026, Lululemon founder aims to remake board, and more news to start your day.