The world of artificial intelligence is buzzing with the arrival of Manus, a new “agentic” AI platform from Chinese startup Monica that launched in preview last week. Touted as a game-changer, Manus has sparked wild enthusiasm—its Discord server ballooned to over 138,000 members in mere days, and invite codes are reportedly fetching thousands of dollars on China’s Xianyu app. Some early testers have showered it with praise, with Hugging Face’s head of product calling it “the most impressive AI tool I’ve ever tried” and AI policy researcher Dean Ball dubbing it “the most sophisticated computer using AI.” But as a gadget reviewer who’s seen plenty of tech hype come and go, I’m here to cut through the noise and dig into what Manus really brings to the table—warts and all.
What Makes Manus Tick?
Manus isn’t your typical AI assistant waiting for commands—it’s built to take charge. Labeled as “agentic,” this platform is designed to autonomously tackle complex tasks like drafting research reports, analyzing financial filings, or even planning trips. Imagine asking it to shortlist apartments in San Francisco based on crime rates and rental trends, then sitting back as it delivers a polished report. Or tasking it with booking a flight and watching it scour the web for options. That’s the promise: an AI that doesn’t just assist but acts. Learn more about agentic AI concepts from Forbes’ coverage of AI trends.
Under the hood, Manus isn’t a wholly original creation. It leans on a mix of existing and fine-tuned AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude and Alibaba’s Qwen, as noted in TechCrunch’s original report. This isn’t a knock—building on proven tech can speed up development and keep costs down. Plus, Manus adds its own flair by running scripts in the background and working asynchronously. You can assign a task, log off, and let it churn away in the cloud, delivering results when it’s done. For gadget lovers like me, that hands-off potential is a big draw.
The Wow Factor: When It Works, It Shines
When Manus hits its stride, it’s easy to see why people are excited. Early demos have shown it pulling off feats like generating detailed stock trend analyses or crafting travel itineraries with cost breakdowns—all without constant prodding. One tester raved about how it optimized an apartment search by cross-referencing data points most humans would miss. Another demo had it planning a Japan trip, complete with flight options and sightseeing suggestions, as highlighted on Monica’s official site. For professionals drowning in research or data crunching, this kind of autonomy could be a lifeline.
The async feature is a standout too. I love gadgets that save me time, and Manus’s ability to work independently while I sip coffee elsewhere feels like a glimpse of the future. It’s not hard to imagine this tech evolving into a must-have tool for anyone juggling multiple projects.
The Reality Check: Bugs and Stumbles
But let’s not get carried away—Manus is still rough around the edges. It’s in early access, and boy, does it show. I threw a simple test at it: order me a fried chicken sandwich from a top-rated spot. Ten minutes in, it crashed. On a retry, it found a menu but couldn’t seal the deal—no checkout link, just a shrug. Next, I asked it to book a business-class flight from NYC to Japan. It spat out a list of links—some broken—from airlines and aggregators like Kayak. It was less “autonomous agent” and more “mediocre Google search.” Check out similar user experiences documented in TechCrunch’s analysis.
Other testers have echoed my gripes. Error messages, endless loops, and factual slip-ups are common complaints. One user noted it failed to cite sources properly; another said it missed basic online info. These aren’t just quirks—they’re dealbreakers for a tool promising reliability. As a reviewer, I can forgive beta-stage hiccups, but Manus needs to step up its game if it wants to justify the buzz.
Hype vs. Substance: What’s Driving the Frenzy?
So why the mania? Scarcity helps—Manus is invite-only, turning access into a status symbol. Chinese media isn’t shy about fanning the flames either, with outlets like QQ News branding it a “domestic pride” moment. Social media’s awash with exaggerated claims too—a viral video falsely showed Manus zipping across smartphone apps, fueling the mythos. Comparisons to DeepSeek, another Chinese AI star, keep popping up, but they’re shaky. DeepSeek built its own models and shared them widely, as detailed in Al Jazeera’s coverage of DeepSeek’s rise; Manus borrows tech and stays closed-off.
Monica’s team isn’t blind to the issues. They’ve told TechCrunch they’re using this beta to stress-test the system, scaling up computing power and squashing bugs as they go. It’s a pragmatic stance, but it doesn’t change the fact that Manus feels more like a proof-of-concept than a finished product right now.
China’s AI Scene: Where Does Manus Fit?
Zoom out, and Manus lands in a fascinating moment for Chinese AI. DeepSeek recently wowed the world with its cost-efficient R1 model, signaling China’s intent to rival the U.S., as reported by Reuters. Manus isn’t that kind of leap—it’s more about stitching together existing tech into something practical. Still, it’s a sign of China’s growing muscle in the AI game, especially in tools that can think and act solo. If Monica refines it, Manus could find a sweet spot for users craving automation.
Top FAQs on Manus AI
With all the chatter, here are answers to the most common questions swirling around Manus AI as of March 10, 2025:
- How does Manus work?
Manus operates as an “agentic” AI, meaning it autonomously handles multi-step tasks. It integrates models like Claude and Qwen, runs background scripts, and works asynchronously in the cloud to deliver results—like planning trips or analyzing data—without constant user input. - Where is Manus AI from?
Manus hails from China, developed by Monica, a startup riding the wave of the country’s booming AI scene alongside players like DeepSeek. - What is a human AI?
Did you mean “agentic AI”? There’s no “human AI” in this context, but Manus is an agentic AI—designed to act independently, mimicking human decision-making for complex tasks, unlike basic chatbots. - How do I use AI?
To use AI like Manus, you’d typically sign up (for Manus, it’s invite-only now), input a task via text or voice, and let it process. General AI usage varies—think asking Siri for weather or ChatGPT for essays—but Manus aims for deeper automation. - How does a Manus work?
Assuming this is “How does Manus work?”—see above! It combines existing AI models with cloud computing to execute tasks independently, from research to bookings. - How do you deal with Manus?
If you mean using it, patience is key—it’s buggy in beta. Report issues to Monica’s team via Discord or their site. If it crashes, retry or simplify your request. - What is the best strategy for Manus?
Start with clear, specific tasks (e.g., “Plan a Tokyo trip for June”) rather than vague ones. Monitor its output for errors and tweak inputs as it learns. Beta testers suggest sticking to its strengths like data analysis over e-commerce for now. - What is the manus on a human?
Likely a typo—did you mean “impact on humans”? Manus aims to save time and boost productivity, but its glitches could frustrate users relying on it for critical tasks. - How to free SIF?
This seems off-topic—did you mean “Siri” or something else? Manus isn’t about freeing other AIs; it’s a standalone tool. If you’re stuck with it, just log out or contact support! - How do I use AI in my phone?
Manus isn’t phone-native yet—it’s cloud-based, accessed via web or app (if available). For phone AI, try Google Assistant or Siri: enable them in settings, tap, and talk. - Is AI free to use?
Some AIs are free (e.g., basic ChatGPT), but Manus’s invite-only status suggests a premium model later. Invite codes costing thousands hint it’s not free now. - What are 5 disadvantages of AI?
- Errors—like Manus crashing mid-task.
- Cost—premium AIs aren’t cheap.
- Privacy—data sent to the cloud could leak.
- Dependence—over-reliance might dull skills.
- Jobs—automation could displace workers.
The Verdict: A Gadget with Promise, Not Polish
As a prompt assistance reviewer, I judge tech on two fronts: does it deliver, and is it a joy to use? Manus scores points for ambition—its autonomous chops and cloud-based multitasking are genuinely cool. When it works, it’s a taste of what AI could become. But the crashes, errors, and half-baked outputs drag it down. It’s not ready to replace your workflow or wow you consistently.
The hype? Overblown. Exclusivity and national cheerleading have inflated expectations beyond what Manus can deliver today. Yet I’m not writing it off—Monica’s commitment to fixes gives me hope. If they can stabilize it and boost its smarts, Manus might evolve into a standout tool. For now, it’s a tantalizing teaser of what’s possible, not a gadget I’d bet my deadlines on.
In the wild world of AI, Manus is a shiny new toy with some loose screws. Keep an eye on it, but don’t ditch your old tools just yet.
