Chinese Start-up Unveils New AI Agent, Generating Significant Buzz
Manus: A Groundbreaking General AI Agent from Chinese Start-up Monica
The landscape of artificial intelligence is changing rapidly, and one of the latest entrants making waves is Manus, an AI agent developed by the Chinese start-up Monica. This innovative technology has quickly garnered significant media and public attention since its preview launch, prompting comparisons to other successful AI initiatives like DeepSeek.
What is Manus?
Manus is positioned as the world’s first truly general AI agent. Its creators assert that it is engineered to think independently, plan strategically, and execute complex tasks—all while providing users with finished results. According to information available on the official Monica website, Manus can assist in various tasks, making it a versatile tool for both professional and personal use.
Capabilities of Manus:
Task Management: Manus can handle a wide range of tasks, such as creating personalized travel guidebooks or conducting in-depth analyses of stock markets, like that of Tesla.
Performance Testing: On the GAIA benchmark, which measures the capabilities of General AI Assistants in real-world scenarios, Manus achieved state-of-the-art results at all three levels of difficulty. This performance outshines comparable models from other AI leaders like OpenAI.
- Name Significance: The term "Manus" derives from the Latin motto "Mens et Manus," meaning "Mind and Hand." This reflects the philosophy that knowledge is meaningful only when applied effectively.
Early Reception and Popularity
The launch of Manus was met with immediate enthusiasm. A promotional video released on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) received over 370,000 views in just 20 hours. Ji Yichao, the co-founder and chief scientist behind Manus AI, emphasized in his introduction that this tool transcends traditional chatbots and automated workflows, describing it as a "truly autonomous agent bridging conception and execution." He noted that Manus represents a new era in human-machine collaboration, hinting at its potential link to artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Invitation-Only Access
Currently, access to the Manus application is not open to everyone. Users are required to have an invitation code to explore its features. This code has become a hot commodity, with many people turning to online marketplaces to acquire one. The prices for these invitation codes range significantly, from approximately 999 yuan ($137) to as much as 50,000 yuan ($6,900). Sellers often refuse to negotiate, citing the limited availability of codes.
Company Background and Team
Manus is a product of Monica, a start-up founded by a team that includes Xiao Hong, a seasoned entrepreneur and Huazhong University of Science and Technology alumnus from 2015. The firm is still in its early stages, comprising a relatively small team of about a dozen members.
Operational Challenges
Zhang Tao, a partner at Manus AI, provided insights into the operational challenges faced by the company. He acknowledged that the invitation-only model was necessitated by limited server capacity but reassured the public that the team is working tirelessly to increase user access. Zhang has requested understanding and support from the community as they strive to optimize the product and enhance user experience.
Public Interest and Discussions
Following the release of Manus, conversations about the AI and its origin have gained traction on social media platforms like Weibo. A particular topic discussing "Manus’ founder being a post-90s Chinese entrepreneur" has attracted millions of views and thousands of comments, indicating a growing intrigue around not just Manus, but also its creators.
The rapid rise of Manus highlights the exciting developments in the field of artificial intelligence and the continued interest in technologies that can evolve how we interact with machines.
