Baidu Abolishes Letter-Based Job Title System, Meta May Walk Away from Manus Acquisition

Introduction

On April 28, several major stories broke simultaneously. Baidu issued a company-wide memo announcing a sweeping overhaul of its job ranking system, retiring letter-based title labels that had been in use for years. Overseas, Meta was reportedly preparing to revoke its acquisition of AI startup Manus, sending shockwaves through the industry. At the same time, BYD's announcement of price hikes starting May 1 and South Korean stocks surpassing the UK in total market capitalization also became focal points for the market.

Baidu's Job Ranking Overhaul: Letter Labels Become History

According to the Star Market Daily, Baidu released a company-wide memo on April 28 announcing a comprehensive restructuring of its job ranking system. Key changes include:

• Full elimination of letter-based labels: Legacy letter designations such as T (Technology), P (Product), E (Engineering), Band, and M (Management) will be replaced by a unified numerical scale ranging from Level 5 to Level 12.
• Merging professional and management tracks: Below the mid-management level, the professional and management career tracks will be fully consolidated into a single unified career development path.
• Effective date: The new system will officially take effect on May 1, 2026.

In the memo, Baidu explicitly stated that "what the AI era demands are precisely versatile, cross-functional talents — individuals who possess both professional expertise and leadership skills, and who can independently take charge." This conviction serves as the core driver behind the reform.

From an industry perspective, job ranking system reforms at major internet companies are nothing new. Alibaba, for instance, has previously undergone multiple rounds of similar adjustments. Baidu's reform sends a clear signal: during a critical period of AI transformation, the company aims to break down the traditional dichotomy between "technical" and "management" roles and encourage employees to become cross-disciplinary, versatile professionals. This aligns closely with Baidu's strategic all-in bet on AI in recent years.

Meta May Revoke Manus Acquisition, Signaling Shifts in AI M&A

Another story that attracted widespread attention came from overseas. According to media reports citing people familiar with the matter, Meta Platforms is preparing to walk away from its acquisition of AI startup Manus.

Reports indicate that Manus investors — including prominent venture capital firm Benchmark — have already pulled back their investments. If Meta ultimately proceeds with revoking the deal, early-stage investors including Tencent, HSG, and ZhenFund would also be affected.

Manus had previously gained rapid fame in the industry thanks to its general-purpose AI Agent capabilities and was once regarded as one of the most promising star projects at the AI application layer. Meta's reported move to revoke the acquisition may reflect a confluence of factors: on one hand, tech giants globally face increasingly stringent antitrust scrutiny over AI-related mergers and acquisitions; on the other, the valuation bubble surrounding AI startups is being reassessed.

Notably, this news has not yet been officially confirmed by either Meta or Manus, and subsequent developments remain to be seen.

Other Headlines at a Glance

• BYD announces price increases starting May 1: The competitive landscape of the new energy vehicle market may be set for a shakeup.
• South Korean stocks surpass the UK in market capitalization: South Korea's stock market has become the world's eighth largest, reflecting the growing influence of Asian capital markets.
• 38 new majors added at general undergraduate universities: The education sector is actively responding to industry demand, with AI-related programs expected to expand further.
• Zhang Xue claims to have turned down a 50-million-yuan brand deal: Content creators' commercialization choices have once again sparked public debate.

Outlook and Analysis

Baidu's job ranking reform and the upheaval surrounding Meta's acquisition may appear to be two independent events, but together they reflect the deep structural adjustments underway in the AI industry.

For Baidu, the ranking system overhaul is fundamentally about aligning organizational architecture with AI strategy. As AI reshapes business boundaries, traditional division-of-labor models are becoming obsolete. "Versatile talent" is no longer just a slogan — it is a survival imperative.

For the global AI M&A market, Meta's potential withdrawal from the Manus acquisition — if confirmed — could become a landmark event, signaling that after the frenzy of 2024, capital markets are returning to rationality. AI startups will need to prove their worth with more robust products and business models.

The AI industry is transitioning from a "concept race" to a "value realization" phase. Whether through internal organizational reform or external capital maneuvering, everything ultimately comes back to one core question: who can truly convert AI capabilities into sustainable commercial outcomes.