Meta AI Updates: April 18, 2026

1. Beijing Calls Meta’s Manus Buy “Conspiratorial,” Bars Founders from Leaving China

Meta. China’s National Security Commission has publicly branded Meta’s $2B acquisition of agentic AI startup Manus a “conspiratorial” attempt to “hollow out” the country’s technology base. Co-founders Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao, summoned by China’s top economic planner NDRC in March, are now barred from leaving the country while multiple government bodies review the deal. Manus relocated its headquarters from Beijing to Singapore in 2025 ahead of the December closing, but Chinese regulators are now signaling they may attempt to alter or unwind the transaction. Source