A new AI tool from China, Manus, is quickly gaining attention, stirring hopes that it could mirror the global success of DeepSeek, the cutting-edge chatbot that recently disrupted the tech world. Manus, generally regarded as more advanced than a typical chatbot, is capable of tasks ranging from stock market analysis to creating personalised travel handbooks based on simple user instructions. The AI assistant was launched last week by the Chinese startup Butterfly Effect and has already made a notable impact, particularly with its exclusive invitation-only beta access, attracting significant attention from enterprise clients.
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The name ‘Manus’, which derives from the Latin motto “Mens et Manus” (meaning “mind and hand”), symbolises the integration of knowledge and practical application. The assistant’s potential was highlighted by co-founder Yichao “Peak” Ji in a viral video, where he referred to Manus as “the next paradigm of human-machine collaboration,” potentially offering a glimpse into artificial general intelligence (AGI). Manus has quickly amassed over 170,000 members on its official Discord server, with further enthusiasm building around its capabilities. However, it is still only accessible by invite, which has sparked both intrigue and concerns over its exclusivity.
Unlike previous AI tools like DeepSeek, which primarily engage users through a conversational interface, Manus stands apart by offering a more versatile set of features. It can autonomously complete tasks, such as booking tickets and sorting resumes, providing users with more practical and complex functions. While DeepSeek grew in popularity through open-source engagement, Manus’s limited access could hinder its ability to replicate this broad appeal. Some analysts suggest that Manus may struggle to achieve the same level of widespread adoption due to its closed ecosystem, although its ability to execute more intricate tasks could make it a valuable tool for businesses.
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One of the more surprising aspects of Manus is its approach to sensitive political topics. Unlike DeepSeek, which is designed to conform to the Chinese government’s stance on politically sensitive issues, Manus offers uncensored responses. In response to questions about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Manus provided detailed and factual accounts, unfiltered by censorship. This open approach may be linked to Manus’s focus on completing tasks rather than content control, something that is more heavily emphasised in chatbots like DeepSeek and ChatGPT. While this has raised questions about the AI’s potential to navigate sensitive content, experts suggest that Manus’s future growth will depend on its ability to scale and address the technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges that come with such a powerful tool.
