Chinese startup Monica AI has launched a new agent-focused AI platform called Manus, which claims to be a "general AI agent" capable of performing various tasks autonomously. The platform, which is currently available by invitation only, has generated a lot of hype and debate about its revolutionary capabilities. Some users praise Manus for its impressive performance and agentic capabilities, while others criticize its slow speed and limited functionality. Access to the platform has become so scarce that a secondary market for invitation codes has emerged, with reports of them selling for exorbitant sums. However, skepticism has also arisen, with claims that Manus is predominantly a marketing stunt. Furthermore, the platform has faced temporary suspension due to scammers creating a cryptocurrency token with the same name. Some users have turned to an open-source alternative called OpenManus, which allows local AI agent deployment using any preferred model. Despite the growing market for AI agents, their capability to handle complex tasks successfully is still under question. Users are left with the options to pay for access, wait in line for an invitation, or build their own AI helper.



Other News from Today