Chinese AI Developer Claims Model May Be a ‘Glimpse into AGI’
A new artificial intelligence innovation emerging from China is generating buzz for its potential to transform automation; however, its claims remain to be substantiated.
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Monica, a Chinese startup, promotes its Manus agent as a “general agent that converts thoughts into actions,” suggesting it can autonomously perform intricate tasks, such as real estate scouting and stock analysis.
Unlike conventional AI platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, Manus distinguishes itself by operating autonomously. Rather than requiring human prompts, Manus takes the initiative to execute workflows, conduct research, analyze data, and even develop applications. This capability involves orchestrating various sub-agents, allowing Manus to efficiently handle multi-step processes, from screening resumes to creating tailored real estate listings. In contrast to the typical text-based exchanges of chatbots, Manus actively engages in task execution, whether filling out forms or scraping data from the internet.
The creators of Manus describe the platform as transcending traditional chatbot functionality, asserting its role as “a completely autonomous agent.” According to Manus’s chief scientist, Yichao Ji, the model represents a potential new paradigm in human-machine collaboration and offers insights into artificial general intelligence (AGI).
While the company’s benchmarks suggest Manus surpasses OpenAI’s evaluation framework for agentic tasks (GAIA), real-world user feedback has been mixed. Early adopters have lauded its speed and capability, yet others have reported issues with slow response times, factual inaccuracies, and processing loops. Manus’s inconsistent ability to cite sources has raised concerns regarding its reliability and transparency.
The intrigue surrounding Manus highlights a growing interest in autonomous AI agents capable of performing tasks with minimal human oversight, which could revolutionize sectors such as finance, legal research, customer service, and software development. While OpenAI’s Operator and Deep Research provide similar functionalities in web-browsing and task execution, Manus claims to offer a more comprehensive autonomous workflow model.
Comparisons with China’s DeepSeek have emerged, particularly regarding Manus’s position within the competitive AI landscape. DeepSeek provoked excitement initially due to its energy efficiency, but concerns about security vulnerabilities and exaggerated claims soon tempered enthusiasm. Manus has similarly stirred debate about China’s capability to rival Silicon Valley in advanced AI development, though unlike DeepSeek, it currently relies on external AI frameworks instead of having its own foundational models.
As Luiza Jarovsky, an AI and privacy expert, points out, Manus presents a complex scenario regarding its data protection implications due to its registration in Singapore while operating primarily out of China. Key questions arise regarding server locations, corporate affiliations, and data transfer policies.
Access to Manus remains restricted to invite-only at this stage, with codes reportedly commanding high prices in the market. This limited accessibility has hindered widespread evaluation, feeding speculation about its true capabilities and potential impact.
