The rise of Manus: hype built on exclusivity

Manus, a Chinese AI platform, has captured global attention with bold claims of autonomy, promising to handle tasks like financial analysis, real estate purchases, and even video game development. Its exclusivity fueled demand, with beta invitations selling for thousands on Chinese platforms. Tech influencers hailed it as a milestone in AI innovation, comparing it to industry giants. Yet, skepticism lingers: is this a leap forward or a wellcrafted illusion?

Behind the curtain: repackaged tech, unfulfilled promises

Beneath the buzz, Manus relies on existing AI models like Anthropic’s Claude and Alibaba’s Qwen, not proprietary breakthroughs. Developers promised revolutionary features, but critical functions remain unfinished. Viral social media clips showcasing “autonomous” app interactions were later debunked by the team, admitting they were staged demos. This reliance on third-party tools and exaggerated marketing casts doubt on its originality.

User tests expose glaring flaws

Early adopters reported frustrating limitations. Simple tasks ordering food or booking flights led to errors, dead links, or system crashes. Ambitious projects fared worse: a user’s request to build a Naruto inspired game stalled after minutes of processing. Such failures contradict Manus’s “all-in-one AI” branding, leaving users questioning whether the platform can ever match its lofty promises.

Manus vs DeepSeek: a tale of two AI philosophies

Comparisons to DeepSeek, China’s open-source AI pioneer, highlight Manus’s shortcomings. DeepSeek built original models with transparent, tangible results, while Manus leans on repurposed tech and secrecy. The latter’s focus on exclusivity and viral marketing contrasts with DeepSeek’s community-driven approach. Until Manus delivers concrete advancements, it risks being remembered as a marketing triumph not a technical one.

The rise of Manus: hype built on exclusivity

Manus, a Chinese AI platform, has captured global attention with bold claims of autonomy, promising to handle tasks like financial analysis, real estate purchases, and even video game development. Its exclusivity fueled demand, with beta invitations selling for thousands on Chinese platforms. Tech influencers hailed it as a milestone in AI innovation, comparing it to industry giants. Yet, skepticism lingers: is this a leap forward or a wellcrafted illusion?

Behind the curtain: repackaged tech, unfulfilled promises

Beneath the buzz, Manus relies on existing AI models like Anthropic’s Claude and Alibaba’s Qwen, not proprietary breakthroughs. Developers promised revolutionary features, but critical functions remain unfinished. Viral social media clips showcasing “autonomous” app interactions were later debunked by the team, admitting they were staged demos. This reliance on third-party tools and exaggerated marketing casts doubt on its originality.

User tests expose glaring flaws

Early adopters reported frustrating limitations. Simple tasks ordering food or booking flights led to errors, dead links, or system crashes. Ambitious projects fared worse: a user’s request to build a Naruto inspired game stalled after minutes of processing. Such failures contradict Manus’s “all-in-one AI” branding, leaving users questioning whether the platform can ever match its lofty promises.

Manus vs DeepSeek: a tale of two AI philosophies

Comparisons to DeepSeek, China’s open-source AI pioneer, highlight Manus’s shortcomings. DeepSeek built original models with transparent, tangible results, while Manus leans on repurposed tech and secrecy. The latter’s focus on exclusivity and viral marketing contrasts with DeepSeek’s community-driven approach. Until Manus delivers concrete advancements, it risks being remembered as a marketing triumph not a technical one.