news 
Overhyped: Manus from Monica – AI Made In China
The recent buzz surrounding Manus AI has sparked a wave of excitement among tech enthusiasts and investors alike. However, I’m here to burst the bubble – or rather, deflate it. Manus, touted as an innovative AI solution made in China, is anything but revolutionary.
Firstly, let’s set the record straight: Manus doesn’t bring anything new to the table. It’s just another Large Language Model (LLM) executing scripted workflows, masquerading as a game-changer. The novelty lies not in its technology, but in its “Made in China” branding. This flashy marketing ploy is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
The claims of autonomy and intelligence are exaggerated at best. Manus relies on LLMs to generate plans based on statistical averages, a far cry from true intelligence or decision-making capabilities. It’s akin to asking Siri or Alexa to book your travel itinerary – it might work, but only within the confines of a predetermined script.
Moreover, AI agents like Manus lack the ability to make decisions. Decision-making requires prioritization and agency, which AI systems currently lack. This is not a criticism of the technology itself, but rather an acknowledgment of the limitations. We should be realistic about what AI can do – it’s not meant to replace humans, but augment them.
Integration with external apps, databases, and services will be the true challenge for Manus (and other similar solutions). While I appreciate the effort to showcase multi-app usage on social media tools, it’s a far cry from seamlessly integrating with existing systems. Take Amazon’s recent announcement of Alexa becoming chat-ready – that’s where the market will move.
Let’s not forget that enterprise adoption is the next step. Consulting firms like Accenture and BCG are already rolling out task-specific AI solutions for businesses, which will naturally precede consumer-facing applications. Consumers will follow, but it won’t be a seamless transition.
The most egregious aspect of Manus is its misplaced emphasis on “Made in China” branding. This marketing gimmick will not define the industry. Instead, companies that focus on refining workflows, integrating AI effectively, and keeping humans in the loop will thrive.
In conclusion, the hype surrounding Manus needs to stop. It’s time for a reality check. True AI success lies in its application, not its origin or flashy marketing.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lutzfinger/2025/03/10/overhyped-manus-from-monicaai-made-in-china/
