In early 2025, news that Meta had acquired Manus AI for approximately $2 billion sent shockwaves through the tech world. In just eight months, the startup achieved explosive growth from zero to $100 million in annual recurring revenue. What truly stands out, however, is its technological direction: autonomous AI agents. This marks a fundamental shift in artificial intelligence — from passive response to proactive execution — as tech giants bet on a future where AI can “act,” not merely “talk....