Introduction: The "D-Day" of AI
On March 6, 2025, Chinese AI team Monica detonated a "technological nuke"—the world’s first general-purpose AI agent, Manus—instantly flooding social media. Unlike conventional chatbots, Manus independently plans and executes complex tasks, from screening resumes to stock analysis and even property hunting, letting users reap the rewards while doing nothing. With invite codes scalped up to ¥50,000 ($73,000), netizens hailed it as "the true productivity revolution."
Core Breakthrough: Why Manus Is Rewriting the Rules
The "Hands-On" Digital Worker
Unlike "talk-only" AIs like ChatGPT, Manus delivers tangible results. For example, when given 15 resumes, it decompresses files, analyzes each page, generates ranked tables, and even memorizes user preferences to optimize future workflows.
In finance, Manus writes Python code to analyze stock correlations and outputs visual reports rivaling professional analysts.
Outperforming OpenAI
Manus achieved state-of-the-art (SOTA) results across all difficulty levels in the GAIA benchmark, surpassing OpenAI’s models. Its core technology integrates deep learning and multi-agent systems, enabling tool usage, code writing, and app operation—mimicking human task decomposition.
China’s Tech Coup
The founding team includes tech prodigies:
- Ji Yichao (Peak): Creator of iOS browser Mammoth
- Xiao Hong: Serial entrepreneur
- Zhang Tao: Former ByteDance product lead turned AI visionary
Netizens quipped: "Finally, China’s AI is schooling the world!"
Controversy & Ambition: Behind the $73,000 Invite Codes
Scarcity or Strategy?
Due to limited server capacity, Manus remains invite-only, fueling a black market frenzy. The team clarified: "We never monetized invites and prioritize user experience."
Commercial Vision
Plans include partnerships with platforms like Douyin (TikTok) for mass adoption and partial open-sourcing to build an ecosystem. CITIC Securities predicts Manus could redefine human-AI collaboration and unlock a $140 billion AI agent market.
Future Forecast: Will AI Steal Your Job?
The Age of "AI Colleagues"
Manus has demonstrated viability in recruitment, finance, and real estate. Gartner forecasts that by 2028, 15% of routine work decisions will be handled by AI agents.
Humanity’s New Role
Ji Yichao emphasizes: "Manus isn’t replacing humans but expanding their capabilities." The future may see humans focusing on creativity and strategy, while AI handles repetitive tasks.
Conclusion: A Silent Productivity Revolution
Manus’ meteoric rise isn’t just a tech triumph—it reveals humanity’s hunger for liberation from drudgery. As AI evolves from "toy" to "colleague," this shift could eclipse the internet’s impact. The only question: Are you ready to evolve with it?
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