Manus AI: China’s Autonomous Agent Signals the Next Phase of Intelligent Automation

Manus AI: China's Autonomous Agent Redefines Work 1 source The provided text introduces Manus AI, an autonomous agent developed by the Chinese startup Monica (Butterfly Effect), highlighting its emergence as a significant step in intelligent automation. Unlike typical AI assistants, Manus AI is an execution-first system that independently completes complex tasks, such as building websites and automating social media, with minimal human oversight. Access to this platform is invite-only, fostering high demand and a grey market for access codes. While some praise it as the beginning of an "agentic era" for AI, others express concerns regarding data privacy, task consistency, and potential marketing hype. The article frames Manus AI as China's answer to leading Western AI models, signaling a shift in global technological competition and offering a glimpse into a future where AI agents handle extensive digital labor.