China's AI Agent Revolution Sparked by Manus Sets Global Stage
Manus has ignited a surge in AI agent development in China, with startups and tech giants racing to create autonomous digital assistants that integrate deeply into daily life and global markets.
The Shift from Foundation Models to AI Agents
Last year marked a surge in foundation models in China—large language models powering the AI revolution. This year, the spotlight has moved to AI agents, autonomous systems designed to accomplish tasks for users rather than merely responding to queries.
Emerging AI Agent Startups
Numerous Chinese startups have emerged, developing versatile digital assistants capable of managing emails, planning vacations, and even designing websites. Manus, launched in early March by Butterfly Effect, ignited social media frenzy with invite codes and set a new standard for general AI agents.
How AI Agents Operate
Unlike foundational language models, AI agents are built atop them using workflow-based frameworks. These agents excel at executing complex, multistep tasks such as booking flights, managing schedules, and conducting research by integrating external tools and maintaining long-term memory.
China's Unique Advantage
China's integrated app ecosystems, rapid innovation cycles, and digitally savvy population create fertile ground for embedding AI agents into daily life. While leading startups currently target global markets due to firewall restrictions, giants like ByteDance and Tencent are developing agents to integrate deeply within their super-app ecosystems.
Manus: Setting the Benchmark
Developed by Butterfly Effect, Manus raised $75 million led by Benchmark and has become a consumer-oriented AI agent capable of assisting with diverse everyday tasks. It features a browser-based sandbox for real-time supervision and supports proactive clarifications and long-term memory.
Competitors Rising Fast
Startups like Genspark and Flowith are rapidly advancing. Genspark integrates multiple language models and tools, boasting over 5 million users and $36 million annual revenue. Flowith offers an 'infinite agent' with nonlinear, creative AI interactions through a mind-map style interface.
Global Ambitions and Challenges
Chinese AI agent startups are targeting international markets where pricing and user base offer greater opportunities. However, reliance on Western models like Anthropic's Claude Sonnet limits functionality within China due to firewall restrictions, spurring development of domestic alternatives such as Alibaba's Qwen.
The Super-App Strategy
China's tech giants are racing to embed AI agents into dominant super-apps. ByteDance’s Coze Space connects multiple apps for planning and execution modes; Tencent is developing agents integrated into WeChat’s vast ecosystem. Alibaba’s Quark app has evolved into a powerful AI search tool with agent-like features.
The Road Ahead
The consumer AI agent market remains nascent with challenges like authentication and liability. However, Chinese companies’ competitive pace, integrated ecosystems, and global ambitions position them to lead the evolution of AI agents worldwide.
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