AI tech is two for a peso these days, with every new gizmo tacking on the ‘AI’ tag to signal that they’re on the cutting edge of innovation. And in the chatbot space, AIs continue to make noteworthy advances, such as ChatGPT’s recent improvement in image creation and the emerging proliferation of video generation capacity in AI chatbots. 

This is the highly competitive environment where Manus is launched. Manus is an AI agent that boasts not only of answering questions, but also the capability to make decisions, plan tasks, and actually get things done. Already dubbed as ‘the second DeepSeek,’ Manus is marketed as more than just another chatbot – it’s envisioned to usher in the future of intelligent automation.

Developed by Chinese startup Manus.AI, Manus is a general AI agent that promises to “extend your capabilities, amplify your impact, and be the hand that brings your mind’s vision into reality.” Unlike typical chatbot interactions where exchanges are limited to answering questions or executing simple commands, Manus was designed to take on big, multi-step tasks such as screening, collating, and evaluating multiple resumes, and then generating rankings and reports to recommend the best fit to your requirements. Manus can accomplish tasks without needing to be spoon-fed instructions every step of the way.

You could think of Manus as an intern who doesn’t sleep, doesn’t ask too many questions, learns fast, and has no Gen Z angst. You give it a goal, and it works quietly in the background until it delivers results.

Most of us have probably messed around and used AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. They're fun and useful – great at answering questions or helping with straightforward tasks (like writing a caption or summarizing long-winded journal articles), but they still rely on the user to drive the conversation.

Manus is trying to flip that script. Once you give it a task, like “Compare the top five smartphones in the ₱30,000 range available in the Philippines and suggest the best deal” – it won’t just give you a summary. It will do the research, analyze the data it has collected, organize it in a format that will be easy to parse, and give you a reasoned recommendation, possibly even with a chart.

Another thing that sets Manus apart from other AI tools is its seeming autonomy. Instead of acting like a reactive assistant, it is programmed to behave more like a proactive teammate. 

Manus can plan, execute, and troubleshoot without the need for babysitting. This means it can complete tasks like generating reports, writing emails, designing websites, or researching investment options while you do something else.

Manus isn’t just text-based. It can understand and produce code, images, charts, spreadsheets, and even navigate through APIs (that’s how apps talk to each other). Essentially, what this means is that it’s a one-stop shop for your digital needs.

While most AI chatbots give ‘good enough’ answers, Manus promises to dig deeper. In tests by Tom's Guide, Manus came out on top in tasks that required data analysis, multi-lingual translation, open-ended discussions, real-time information retrieval, and scenario-based problem solving. 

Unlike other AIs that leave us all wondering exactly how they arrived at an answer, Manus can show its ‘thought process’. Users can see what’s happening while it performs tasks, like those restaurants where you could watch a chef cook your meal in front of you.

Manus isn’t built for speed nor optimized to be lightning quick in its responses… at least not yet. If you’re just looking for a quick joke or a one-liner, ChatGPT or Gemini will get you there faster. Manus takes its time, especially with bigger tasks.

Despite its impressive brains, Manus is still new and of course, still learning. There could be instances of repeated steps, missed points, or even over processing of simple tasks. This is normal for new AI agents, but something to keep in mind. 

As of writing, Manus is yet to be made publicly available. It’s in private beta, which means only a small group of testers can use it. But you could sign up now and request an invitation.

Given its limited user base, it’s still difficult to gauge just how effective Manus will be in real-world usage, especially for Filipinos. But given its demonstrated use cases, we can think of the following scenarios where Manus can be helpful:

For small business owners (like those running an online store), Manus could potentially automate inventory management, create marketing materials, and even analyze customer data. Less time would be required for crunching numbers, which will, in turn, allow more time for growing the business.

Students can go beyond simple summarization of their reading materials. Manus could help plan their thesis, organize sources, and even simulate different perspectives on a topic. Just make sure that you actually learn the material and not just submit what Manus produces. You’re there to learn, and misusing AI is ultimately cheating yourself. 

Planning a family vacation? Manus could research flights, compare hotel prices, evaluate safe zones and areas you should avoid, and build a complete itinerary depending on your interests. It's like having a personal travel agent.

And from a national viewpoint, Manus may eventually assist in addressing local challenges, such as creating smart city plans for Local Government Units (LGUs), or even help streamline disaster response logistics.

Currently, ChatGPT and Gemini are the household names when it comes to AI, but in time, Manus might quietly become the go-to tool for users who want more than just quick answers. The AI race is far from over. But with Manus stepping up, it’s clear: we won’t be satisfied with machines that merely talk back to us – we want apps that can take action and make life ultimately easier for all of us.