China Just Had Its Moment
Remember when Deepseek first launched and flipped the AI world upside down?
It’s happening again. This time, it’s again China’s turn.
Manus — a general AI agent that popped up seemingly overnight and is now the most sought-after piece of tech in the industry.
Here’s a video that Manus dropped : Link
Manus isn’t just another chatbot. It’s a full-fledged AI executor that can:
- Plan and book an entire vacation (including flights, hotels, and itineraries)
- Write, debug, and deploy code
- Generate interactive stock reports
- Automate invoice processing
- Compare insurance policies
- Create custom educational courses
- And pretty much anything else you can throw at it
Sounds wild? It is.
And the AI community knows it. Beta codes for Manus are selling for up to $7,000 on second-hand platforms, and thousands of people are scrambling to get access. This might be the biggest AI drop since OpenAI released GPT-4.
1. It Outperforms OpenAI’s Best
Manus crushed the GAIA benchmark, a gold-standard test for AI assistants. It scored 86.5%, far ahead of OpenAI’s DeepResearch (67.9%) and Claude’s Computer Use. For context, the previous AI leader scored just 15%.
2. It Doesn’t Just Answer—It Acts
Most AI models, including ChatGPT, help with research, brainstorming, and writing. But Manus? It executes tasks. Think of it as hiring a digital intern that doesn’t sleep, doesn’t complain, and works at 10x speed.
How It Works
Manus follows a three-agent system to get things done:
- Planning Agent: Breaks down a complex task into smaller steps.
- Execution Agent: Writes code, accesses APIs, and performs actions.
- Verification Agent: Checks and refines results before delivery.
🚀 Example: A user asked Manus to analyze Alibaba’s stock performance over three years. Manus:
- Pulled data from Yahoo Finance
- Wrote Python scripts for correlation analysis
- Generated an interactive web report
- Compared Alibaba with JD.com and Pinduoduo
- Deployed the report as a shareable website
This is next-level automation.
China is stacking W’s in the AI race. If DeepSeek’s R1 model was the first major win, Manus is the next-level evolution.
- DeepSeek’s Breakthrough: When DeepSeek R1 launched earlier this year, it marked China’s first true competitor to OpenAI, excelling in reasoning and problem-solving. It was a major milestone for China’s AI ambitions.
- Manus Takes It Further: Unlike DeepSeek, which was mainly focused on improving large language model capabilities, Manus bridges thought and execution. It doesn’t just process information—it acts on it, automating tasks end-to-end.
- The Bigger Picture: China’s AI isn’t just keeping up. It’s now defining the next phase of AI, shifting from conversational AI to full-blown automation.
This shift signals that China is moving from LLM-powered assistants to AI agents capable of autonomous execution—something even OpenAI hasn’t fully cracked yet.
Manus wasn’t built by a household-name tech giant like OpenAI or Google. Instead, it came from a low-profile Chinese team backed by investors and developers with a history of AI breakthroughs.
Here’s what we know:
- The team previously built Monica AI, a browser extension with millions of users that integrated multiple large AI models.
- The project is led by Xiao Hong, a serial entrepreneur and 2015 graduate of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
- The demo video was published by Peak Ji Yichao, a Chinese entrepreneur known for creating the Mammoth mobile browser.
The secrecy surrounding Manus only adds to the hype.
The Manus launch has sparked serious debates in the AI world. Here are the key questions:
1. Is This True Innovation or Just Hype?
Supporters argue Manus is a leap forward, turning AI from a smart assistant into an actual executor. Skeptics say it’s just an advanced AI workflow tool, not a fundamental breakthrough.
2. What About Privacy Risks?
Manus operates in the cloud, meaning sensitive data is processed externally. So far, the team hasn’t shared much about its data security practices.
3. Will It Remain Closed or Go Open-Source?
Manus hasn’t released an API yet, which means developers can’t integrate it into their own apps. If they do, it could rival OpenAI’s ecosystem.
4. The Bigger Question: Are We Ready for AI Agents?
For years, AI has been a tool. Now, it’s becoming an autonomous workforce. Manus is the first glimpse of a world where AI doesn’t just think—it acts. If it succeeds, expect a future where AI handles entire business processes on its own.
AI isn’t just evolving. It’s accelerating.
Manus is proof that AI is moving beyond chatbots and into full-scale automation. The next 12 months could redefine how businesses operate, how people work, and how AI integrates into daily life.
Analysis and Recommendations
Considering the emergence of Manus in the AI landscape, it is imperative for organizations to strategize their approach towards incorporating such advanced AI technologies. Here are some key insights and recommendations:
Market Trends
The rise of Manus signifies a shift towards AI agents capable of autonomous execution, indicating a move from conversational AI to full-blown automation. This trend highlights the need for organizations to embrace automation tools that can streamline processes and enhance productivity.
Organizational Impact
Organizations that leverage Manus and similar AI agents stand to benefit from increased efficiency, faster task execution, and the ability to handle complex processes seamlessly. However, it is crucial for businesses to assess the impact of AI integration on their workforce and operational structure.
Actionable Recommendations
1. Evaluate the applicability of Manus in your organization’s workflow and identify potential use cases where AI automation can drive significant value.
2. Invest in upskilling your workforce to adapt to working alongside AI agents like Manus, ensuring a smooth transition and optimal utilization of AI capabilities.
3. Stay informed about the latest developments in AI technology, particularly in the field of autonomous execution, to remain competitive in the evolving market landscape.
FAQ
1. What industries can benefit the most from using Manus?
Industries such as finance, e-commerce, healthcare, and technology are likely to benefit greatly from Manus due to its diverse capabilities in automation and task execution.
2. How does Manus ensure data security while operating in the cloud?
While specifics about Manus’ data security practices are not fully disclosed, organizations can implement additional security measures such as encryption and access controls to safeguard sensitive information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manus represents a significant milestone in the evolution of AI technology, showcasing China’s prowess in developing advanced AI agents for autonomous execution. Organizations that embrace such innovations and adapt their operations to leverage AI automation are poised to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
