Artificial Intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and China continues to make significant strides in this space.
Hot on the heels of DeepSeek’s breakthrough, a new AI agent called Manus is making waves in the industry.
Developed by the Chinese startup Monica, Manus is being hailed as a revolutionary autonomous AI system capable of independently performing complex tasks—putting it in the same league as agentic AI models from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.
Manus is more than just another AI chatbot; it’s an intelligent system that doesn’t just generate responses but thinks, plans, and executes tasks without human intervention.
From building websites and analyzing financial markets to organizing travel plans and conducting in-depth research, Manus can handle it all with a single prompt.
What Makes Manus Stand Out?
Launched on March 6, Manus has already captured global attention, with tech enthusiasts comparing its impact to that of DeepSeek’s R1 model. According to its creators, Manus surpasses OpenAI’s DeepResearch on the GAIA benchmark, showcasing its efficiency in real-world problem-solving.
Unlike standard AI chatbots, which primarily rely on predefined responses, Manus operates autonomously—meaning that once given a task, it can independently research, generate content, and produce fully-formed, structured results.
For instance, if asked to create a report on climate change, Manus would:
Conduct research across multiple sources
Generate written content from start to finish
Create interactive charts and visual elements
Compile the entire project into a well-structured report—all without requiring additional inputs from the user.
In essence, whether it’s crafting a detailed stock analysis, preparing a personalized learning course, or developing a business plan, Manus can handle it effortlessly from a single user command.
Key Features of Manus AI
Autonomous Task Execution
Manus is designed to function independently. Once given a task, it continues to process data in the cloud, even if the user logs out or disconnects their device. It can utilize multiple platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and other sources to gather real-time information.
Real-Time Interaction & Workflow Display
Unlike traditional AI models that work in the background, Manus allows users to view its process live. For example, in a demo, the AI built a Japan travel itinerary step by step, showcasing how it gathered information, structured the plan, and refined the details.
Personalized Experience
The AI system learns from user interactions over time, tailoring its responses to individual preferences. This makes it a more adaptive and intuitive assistant compared to conventional AI models.
Works in the Background
Even if a user disconnects, Manus continues processing the assigned task on cloud servers and sends a notification once the work is completed.
Beyond Text-Based Outputs
Manus is not limited to generating text; it actively:
✔ Browses websites and interacts with live web pages
✔ Takes screenshots and records browsing activity for later review
✔ Creates structured documents like PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations
Availability and How to Access Manus AI
Currently, Manus AI is in its early-access phase, available only through an invitation-only web preview. The developers have not yet announced a public release date, but given the growing excitement, a wider launch is expected in the coming months.
Additionally, the company has revealed plans to open-source the model in the future, enabling developers to build upon Manus’s capabilities for various applications.
To use Manus, users simply enter a prompt, similar to platforms like ChatGPT or Grok. For example, asking it to plan a 7-day trip to Bali on a budget will prompt Manus to:
✔ Research available flights and accommodations
✔ Create a structured day-by-day itinerary
✔ Provide estimated cost breakdowns
Final Thoughts: Is Manus AI the Future of Autonomous AI?
With its ability to function unsupervised, conduct end-to-end task execution, and provide highly interactive outputs, Manus AI could redefine how we interact with technology. Whether it’s assisting researchers, simplifying project management, or streamlining business operations, its impact could be game-changing.