The least surprising chapter of the Manus story is what’s happening right now

image via TechCrunch

March 26, 2026, 2:46 AM

• •China is racing to build its own AI capabilities and resents the movement of its AI talent and companies to the US.
• •Manus, a Chinese AI startup, sold itself to Meta for $2 billion after relocating to Singapore.
• •The acquisition of Manus raised concerns in both the U.S. and China, particularly regarding intellectual property and strategic advantage.
• •Manus founders were summoned for questioning by Chinese authorities.
• •The situation underscores the intensifying US-China competition in AI and its associated geopolitical risks.

The U.S. and China are intensely competing to lead in AI, with Beijing investing heavily and expressing concerns over Chinese AI talent moving to U.S. companies. Manus, a promising Chinese AI startup, relocated to Singapore and was acquired by Meta for $2 billion, which drew scrutiny from both Washington and Beijing. China's government is especially sensitive to such moves, viewing them as a loss of intellectual property and talent. Manus's founders are now under investigation, highlighting the high stakes and geopolitical tensions within the AI sector.

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