meta, scale ai and openai Updates

Meta recently made significant moves in the AI space, acquiring Manus, an AI startup specializing in agentic AI for small and medium-sized businesses, for 2 billion dollars on December 30, 2025. This Singapore-based firm, founded in China, will help Meta enhance its AI capabilities, aiming to make platforms like WhatsApp more versatile, similar to WeChat. This acquisition follows Meta's earlier 14 billion dollar purchase of Scale AI in June, underscoring its strategy to compete directly with major players such as OpenAI and Google in the evolving AI market. Mark Zuckerberg envisions these investments supporting the development of general-purpose AI agents for Meta's consumer and business products, including Meta AI.Meanwhile, Google's AI platform, Gemini, experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025, becoming the most searched term on Google. This marks a significant win for Google, demonstrating its strong comeback after OpenAI's ChatGPT initially dominated the generative AI traffic. By late 2024, ChatGPT held 87% of the market, while Gemini had only 5.4%. However, Google's share surged to 30% in 2025, driven by new model releases like Gemini Ultra and Gemini 1.5 Pro. Google successfully integrated AI into its search and other products, proving that search can evolve with AI rather than be replaced.The year 2026 is poised to be a pivotal "make-or-break" period for the "AI trade," which focuses on investments in companies supporting the AI data center buildout. This marks the fourth year of this investment trend, prompting scrutiny into its long-term viability. Demand for data center hardware from companies like Nvidia and Micron Technology remains robust, and investors are closely monitoring whether this growth trajectory will continue or decelerate. However, as 2025 concludes, skepticism about AI is growing, with concerns about a potential economic bubble and many companies not seeing expected returns from generative AI projects.Experts like Gary Marcus and Jerry Kaplan suggest public enthusiasm for AI lags behind media hype, with some even labeling the AI boom a "Ponzi scheme." Threat actors are increasingly leveraging AI for harmful activities, raising broader societal impact concerns. These issues are compounded by the challenge of AI deepfakes, which blur the lines between real and fake content, eroding trust in information and media. Poland, for instance, asked the European Commission to investigate TikTok on December 30 for hosting AI-generated content that advocated for Poland to leave the EU, suspecting Russian disinformation.AI also profoundly reshaped professional services in 2025, with the Big Four firms—Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY—adopting AI agents like Deloitte's Zora AI and PwC's agent OS. This automation led to a hiring slowdown at entry levels, with PwC planning to cut graduate hiring by a third over three years. The demand for technologists surged, and firms prioritized upskilling, evidenced by nearly 100,000 EY employees earning an AI badge. The nature of work shifted from advisory projects to long-term partnerships, as AI took over routine tasks and junior roles evolved rapidly.The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) launched a free online course on AI in Medical Education, aiming to educate medical professionals on AI's applications in diagnosis, treatment, and research. This initiative supports continuous learning and the integration of new technologies to improve patient care. In the sales sector, AI has fundamentally altered the requirements for a Vice President of Sales. Seventy percent of first hires in this role fail within 12 months, partly because 36% of companies are reducing SDR/BDR headcount as AI SDRs handle massive outreach. Modern VPs must understand AI sales tools, manage blended teams where AI agents handle initial outreach, and possess strong data literacy for effective CRM hygiene.

Key Takeaways

• Meta acquired AI startup Manus for 2 billion dollars on December 30, 2025, and Scale AI for 14 billion dollars in June, aiming to enhance its AI capabilities and compete with OpenAI and Google.
• Google's Gemini became the most searched term in 2025, increasing its generative AI traffic share to 30% from 5.4% by late 2024, challenging OpenAI's ChatGPT.
• Poland requested an EU investigation into TikTok on December 30 for hosting AI-generated content promoting Poland's exit from the EU, citing potential Russian disinformation.
• The year 2026 is expected to be a critical "make-or-break" year for AI investments, with strong demand for data center hardware from companies like Nvidia.
• Skepticism about AI's economic returns and the potential for an economic bubble is growing as 2025 concludes, with some experts calling the AI boom a "Ponzi scheme."
• AI significantly transformed the Big Four professional services firms in 2025, leading to automation, a slowdown in entry-level hiring, and increased demand for technologists.
• The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) launched a free online course on AI in Medical Education to teach professionals about AI's uses.
• AI deepfakes are creating serious questions about trust, truth, and technology, highlighting ethical implications.
• Hiring a Vice President of Sales in the AI era requires deep understanding of AI sales tools and data literacy, as 36% of companies reduce SDR/BDR headcount.
• Threat actors are using AI for harmful activities, contributing to broader concerns about the technology's societal impact.

Meta buys AI startup Manus for 2 billion dollars

Meta acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup founded in China, for 2 billion dollars on December 30, 2025. Manus specializes in agentic AI for small and medium-sized businesses. This purchase aims to improve Meta's AI capabilities, helping its platforms like WhatsApp become more like WeChat by offering more services. The acquisition is part of Meta's strategy to compete with major players like OpenAI and Google in the AI space. Earlier in June, Meta also bought Scale AI for 14 billion dollars.

Meta acquires AI agent startup Manus

Meta is acquiring Manus, an AI firm founded in China and based in Singapore, to boost its AI capabilities. The purchase is estimated to be worth over 2 billion dollars. Manus specializes in "agentic AI" which can perform complex tasks like planning trips with minimal user interaction. Meta plans to use Manus's technology to develop general-purpose agents for its consumer and business products, including Meta AI. This move supports Mark Zuckerberg's vision for personal AI and follows Meta's 14 billion dollar investment in Scale AI in June.

Poland asks EU to investigate TikTok over AI content

On December 30, Poland asked the European Commission to investigate TikTok for hosting AI-generated content that called for Poland to leave the EU. Poland's Deputy Digitalization Minister Dariusz Standerski stated this content was likely Russian disinformation and threatened public order and democratic processes. A TikTok profile showing young women in Polish colors promoting these messages has since disappeared. Poland believes TikTok, as a Very Large Online Platform, failed to meet its obligations under the Digital Services Act. The European Commission confirmed receiving the letter and noted it had already asked TikTok and other platforms in March 2024 about their measures against AI-related risks.

2026 will be a crucial year for AI investments

The year 2026 is expected to be a critical "make-or-break" year for the "AI trade," which involves investing in companies supporting the artificial intelligence data center buildout. This marks the fourth year of this investment trend, raising questions about its long-term strength. Demand for data center hardware from companies like Nvidia and Micron Technology remains strong. Investors will watch closely to see if this growth continues or slows down.

How AI transformed the Big Four firms in 2025

In 2025, Artificial Intelligence significantly changed the Big Four professional services firms: Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY. These firms adopted AI agents, like Deloitte's Zora AI and PwC's agent OS, to automate tasks and improve client services. AI also led to a hiring slowdown at entry levels, with PwC planning to cut graduate hiring by a third over three years. The demand for technologists increased, and firms focused on upskilling employees, with nearly 100,000 EY employees earning an AI badge. Finally, the nature of work shifted from advisory projects to long-term partnerships, with AI taking over routine tasks and junior roles evolving rapidly.

Doubts about AI are growing as 2025 ends

As 2025 concludes, skepticism about Artificial Intelligence is increasing due to several factors. Concerns are rising about a potential economic bubble bursting and many companies not seeing the expected return on investment from their generative AI projects. Experts like Gary Marcus and Jerry Kaplan suggest that the public is not as enthusiastic about AI as the media, and some even call the AI boom a "Ponzi scheme." Additionally, threat actors are using AI for harmful activities, and there are worries about the technology's broader societal impact. Critics argue that AI companies have overpromised what their tools can deliver for businesses, especially regarding replacing high-wage workers.

AI deepfakes challenge trust truth and technology

Artificial intelligence deepfakes are creating serious questions about trust, truth, and technology. These AI-generated fakes can make it hard to tell what is real and what is not. This raises concerns about how people will trust information and media in the future. It also highlights the need to understand the ethical implications of advanced AI technology.

NBEMS launches free online course on AI in medicine

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, NBEMS, has launched a free online course on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education. This course aims to teach medical professionals about AI's uses in diagnosis, treatment, and research. It is part of NBEMS's goal to encourage continuous learning and new technologies in medical education. All medical professionals can register for the course on the official NBEMS website. This initiative will help healthcare providers better understand and use AI, which will ultimately improve patient care.

Google's Gemini was the most searched term in 2025

In 2025, "Gemini," Google's AI platform, became the most searched term on Google, marking a significant win for the company. This shows Google's strong comeback in the AI market after OpenAI's ChatGPT initially dominated. By late 2024, ChatGPT held 87% of generative AI traffic, while Gemini had only 5.4%. However, in 2025, Google's share grew to 30% due to new model releases like Gemini Ultra and Gemini 1.5 Pro. Google successfully integrated AI into its search and other products, proving that search can evolve with AI rather than be replaced by it.

New rules for hiring a sales VP in the AI era

Hiring a Vice President of Sales has become more complex in the age of AI, with 70% of first hires failing within 12 months. AI has fundamentally changed what a great VP of Sales needs to do, as 36% of companies are reducing SDR/BDR headcount while AI SDRs handle massive outreach. New VPs must deeply understand AI sales tools like Artisan or Gong and have clear opinions on their deployment and ROI. They also need to build blended teams where AI agents handle most initial outreach, freeing human SDRs to become "AI operators" and Account Executives to focus on closing deals. Finally, a modern VP of Sales must be data-native, understanding CRM hygiene and data infrastructure to ensure AI tools work effectively.

Sources

• Meta acquires Chinese-founded AI startup Manus for $2B
• Meta buys Chinese-founded AI agent start-up Manus
• Poland urges Brussels to probe TikTok over AI-generated content
• 2026 Is a Make-or-Break Year for the AI Trade
• 4 key ways AI changed the Big Four in 2025
• Contrarians No More: AI Skepticism Is on the Rise
• AI deep fakes raise questions about trust, truth and technology
• NBEMS offers free course on AI in Medical Education: Here’s all you need to know - The Times of India
• The Most Googled Term In 2025 Was Gemini — And That’s An Irony-Laden Win For Google
• The 10 Rules For Hiring a VP of Sales in the Age of AI