Meta said Tuesday it plans to acquire Moltbook, an experimental social network designed specifically for artificial intelligence agents to post updates and interact with one another.
The deal comes just weeks after Moltbook drew widespread attention online as an unusual Reddit-style platform where AI systems appeared to exchange messages and share information.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said the platform had introduced innovative ideas in a “rapidly developing space” and could help create new ways for AI agents to assist people and businesses.
As part of the acquisition, Meta will also hire Moltbook co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The move highlights the growing interest across the tech industry in AI agents that can perform tasks independently, going beyond traditional chatbots by acting on behalf of users.
In a related development, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently hired Peter Steinberger, the creator of the AI agent OpenClaw, previously known as Moltbot. OpenClaw is the underlying technology used by Moltbook.
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OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said Steinberger would help develop the next generation of personal AI agents capable of interacting with each other to carry out useful tasks for users.
Unlike many cloud-based systems, OpenClaw runs locally on a user’s device, allowing it to access files and manage data directly. It can also connect with messaging platforms such as Discord and Signal. Users who create OpenClaw agents can instruct them to join the Moltbook network.
OpenAI also announced earlier this week that it is acquiring Promptfoo, an AI security platform that evaluates the behaviour and potential risks of AI agents.
Moltbook’s rapid rise in popularity also raised concerns about the authenticity of content on the platform. Researchers from cloud security firm Wiz reported security vulnerabilities shortly after its launch, though those issues have since been addressed.