A newly announced AI agent called Manus has quickly garnered attention, drawing both praise for its capabilities and concern about its implications for privacy and security, Axios reports.
Created by a team based in China, Manus is positioned as a “general AI agent that turns your thoughts into actions.” This description highlights its ambition to go beyond simple chatbots and workflows, with Manus described as an autonomous agent capable of performing tasks without user input.
In a video shared last week, Manus’ chief scientist Yichao “Peak” Ji explained that the AI system represents a “new paradigm of human-machine collaboration,” potentially offering a glimpse into artificial general intelligence (AGI). During the demo, Manus efficiently handled multiple tasks, including sorting through resumes, analyzing stock data, and evaluating New York real estate, which involved rating nearby schools and estimating affordability for users.
Unlike many AI systems that require constant user interaction, Manus operates in the cloud, which allows users to disconnect from their devices while the AI continues its work. However, this cloud-based model also raises questions about data privacy and security, especially regarding where the system’s servers are located and whether there are any potential connections to China’s data governance policies.
Manus’ introduction has sparked significant discussion within the AI community. While some experts have expressed excitement about its innovative features, others, like AI and privacy expert Luiza Jarovsky, have raised concerns. Jarovsky, in a recent newsletter, questioned the data protection practices surrounding Manus, asking whether its servers are located in China and whether user data might be transferred there.
Despite the hype surrounding Manus, it remains in invitation-only private testing. As with any new technology, some early reviewers have expressed skepticism about its performance. TechCrunch’s Kyle Wiggers, for example, found that Manus’ ability to perform certain tasks fell short of expectations, casting doubt on whether it can fully live up to its ambitious claims.
The launch of Manus comes at a time when autonomous AI agents are becoming a central topic of debate in the tech industry. Some experts have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with autonomous AI. A recent paper by researchers from Hugging Face argues that “fully autonomous AI agents should not be developed,” citing the possibility of catastrophic errors even in well-engineered systems. The authors stress that human judgment remains crucial, particularly when AI systems are involved in high-stakes decision-making.
Manus’ development has also sparked comparisons to DeepSeek, another Chinese AI system, with some US observers worrying that China may be advancing rapidly in the race for AI supremacy.
