Did Manus Experience a ‘DeepSeek’ Moment? Concerns Surround Chinese AI Agent’s Rapid Ascent to Prominence
Manus: A New Player in General-Purpose AI
Overview of Manus
Manus is a newly developed general-purpose AI agent created by a Chinese team. Despite generating interest for its potential to manage complex tasks, it faces skepticism regarding its technological capabilities. This skepticism stems mainly from the limited number of users who have had the chance to test Manus, primarily due to a shortage of server capacity after an unexpected surge in demand.
Limited Availability and Access
After its recent launch, Manus remained largely inaccessible as it is currently operating on an invitation-only basis. Many users raced to get access, leading to some people advertising Manus invitation codes for sale or even renting out accounts on China’s second-hand marketplace, Xianyu. Critics have pointed out that the creators of Manus might be engaging in "scarcity marketing" to create an air of exclusivity around the product.
Public Response and Server Capacity Issues
Zhang Tao, Manus AI’s product partner, acknowledged the situation and explained that the invite-only system was instituted due to real limitations in server capacity. He admitted that the team miscalculated the public’s eagerness, as their intention was initially just to showcase the AI agent’s achievements. Server resources were originally allocated only for demonstration purposes.
Current State of Manus AI
According to Zhang, Manus is still in its early development stages, far from the final product the team envisions. He also mentioned that the company’s official social media account has experienced a suspension due to policy violations. This suspension was allegedly related to unrelated third-party cryptocurrency scams attempting to exploit Manus’ spike in popularity.
Technology and Development Background
One of the criticisms leveled against Manus is related to the originality of its technology. The platform is reportedly built on existing large language models (LLMs), a detail that the team has not disclosed. This is notable because it contrasts with other innovations, such as those from DeepSeek, which are based on foundational models. LLMs are critical to generative AI services, like ChatGPT.
Ji Yichao, the co-founder and chief scientist of Manus, shared that the AI operates as a multi-agent system leveraging several distinct models. He noted the team’s intent to give back to the open-source community by making some models available for public use.
Company Background: Butterfly Effect
Manus was developed by a Beijing-based company called Butterfly Effect, which employs a small team. Following Manus’ rise to fame, the state-run media outlet Changjiang Daily highlighted the company in efforts to elevate Hubei’s stature in the AI landscape. The founding team includes experienced professionals whose influence within China’s tech scene has played a significant role in the product’s sudden success.
Founder Profile: Xiao Hong
The company’s founder, Xiao Hong, is a 33-year-old serial entrepreneur and a graduate of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He previously developed popular WeChat plug-in applications that were bought out. In 2022, he launched Monica.ai, an AI assistant available as a browser extension and mobile app.
During a live-streaming session, Xiao suggested that AI developers should take cues from smartphone manufacturers. He emphasized that AI application developers can learn from industry leaders in areas like branding, supply chains, distribution, and profitability, drawing parallels between LLM providers and chip manufacturers.
By keeping its focus on improving accessibility and technology, Manus aims to make a lasting impact on the AI sector, even amidst current challenges.
