In a significant leap beyond today’s AI assistants, Chinese startup Monica.im has unveiled Manus—positioning it as the world’s first general AI agent capable of autonomously executing complex tasks from start to finish.
Launched this March, Manus (Latin for “hand”) functions as a digital extension of human capability, completing assignments independently while users focus elsewhere. The system continues working even when users close their browsers, sending notifications only when results are ready.
“We’re moving beyond the era of AI assistants that merely make suggestions to AI agents that deliver complete solutions,” said Xiao Hong (known as “Red”), the 33-year-old founder who graduated from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
Beyond Chatbots: A Multi-Agent Architecture
What separates Manus from ChatGPT, Claude, and other conversational AI is its distributed architecture. Rather than relying on a single large language model, Manus orchestrates specialized sub-agents that collaborate on different aspects of a task.
This multi-agent framework incorporates various AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and customized versions of Alibaba’s Qwen. When analyzing stock market data, for example, one agent might retrieve real-time information while another generates visualizations, with a third ensuring accuracy.
The system follows a structured workflow:
- Analyze user requests and current task state
- Select appropriate tools or APIs
- Execute commands within a secure Linux sandbox
- Refine approach based on new information
- Deliver structured outputs
- Enter standby until further input
“Watch Me Work”: Transparency in Action
Perhaps most intriguing is Manus’s “Computer” window, which offers unprecedented visibility into the agent’s decision-making process. Users can observe in real-time as Manus navigates websites, writes code, and processes information—building trust through transparency and allowing intervention when needed.
“This isn’t a black box. You can literally watch the AI think and work,” noted an early tester who requested anonymity due to the platform’s closed beta status.
Impressive Benchmark Performance
According to reported figures, Manus has achieved state-of-the-art scores on the GAIA benchmark, which evaluates general AI assistants on real-world problem-solving:
| Model | GAIA Benchmark Accuracy | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Manus AI | >65% | March 2025 |
| H2O.ai (h2oGPTe) | 65% | Dec 2024 |
| Google (Langfun) | 49% | July 2024 |
| Microsoft (o1) | 38% | 2024 |
| OpenAI (GPT-4o) | 32% | Aug 2024 |
MIT Technology Review testing found that while Manus typically requires more processing time than competitors like ChatGPT DeepResearch, it consistently delivers higher quality results at a fraction of the cost—approximately $2 per task versus $20.
Real-World Applications Already Emerging
Early users report deploying Manus across diverse professional scenarios:
In financial services, the system performs comprehensive stock analyses with interactive dashboards showcasing market performance and economic outlooks.
HR departments use it to screen resumes, extracting relevant information and providing candidate rankings with detailed evaluations.
Real estate professionals leverage Manus to filter properties based on multiple criteria including safety metrics, school quality, and budget constraints.
For personal use, the agent creates detailed travel itineraries and compares consumer options like insurance policies with structured recommendation tables.
Growing Pains and Limitations
Despite impressive capabilities, Manus faces several challenges typical of breakthrough technology:
Users report occasional system crashes during complex requests, and server capacity limitations sometimes prevent new task creation during peak usage.
The system struggles with processing very large text volumes and encounters obstacles when attempting to access paywalled content.
Restricted Access, For Now
Manus currently operates under an invite-only model, with the platform remaining in closed beta testing. The company has announced plans for partial open-sourcing in the future, potentially accelerating innovation in autonomous AI.
The Bigger Picture: AI That Delivers, Not Just Suggests
Manus represents a fundamental shift in human-machine collaboration—from AI as assistant to AI as autonomous digital proxy. By bridging the gap between conception and execution, it exemplifies a new paradigm where artificial intelligence transitions from merely generating ideas to independently delivering results.
As these technologies mature, the question becomes not whether AI can assist us, but how quickly we’ll adapt to working alongside truly autonomous digital colleagues.
Resources
- Manus.im Official Website – The main website for Manus AI
- Manus Use Case Gallery – Showcases real-world applications of Manus AI
- DataCamp Blog: Manus AI Features & Architecture – Comprehensive analysis of Manus AI’s capabilities
- WorkOS Blog: Introducing Manus – Overview of Manus as a general AI agent
- Hotel News Resource: Manus in Travel Planning – How Manus is changing AI-powered travel planning
- India Today: Manus AI from China – Analysis of Manus AI’s emergence
- Perplexity: Manus AI Claims – Overview of Manus AI’s autonomous agent capabilities
- People’s Daily: AI Travel Experiences – How Manus is enhancing travel experiences
- Manus Terms of Service – Official terms and conditions for using Manus
- Manus AI Twitter – Official Twitter account for updates