Since the start of 2025, the pace of AI development has shifted from gradual progress to rapid, almost exponential, advancements. The AI world is still absorbing the full impact of DeepSeek, and new developments continue to emerge at a breakneck pace. One of the most notable breakthroughs is the unveiling of Manus AI, an AI agent that claims to be the world’s first fully autonomous system. Unlike traditional AI models that rely on user prompts, Manus operates independently, proactively executing complex, multi-step tasks across various domains. Its launch has stirred excitement and concern within the global AI community, with some hailing it as a paradigm shift and others questioning its true innovation.
“Mens et Manus” — The MIT Motto
In the video linked below, Yichao “Peak” Ji, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Manus (named after “Mens et Manus” — mind and hand, the motto of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), introduces the “First General AI Agent.” He offers a brief example of the “autonomous agent” they’ve developed, moving beyond simple suggestions and ideas to true execution — an advancement beyond what is currently available on the market. The example includes tasks such as reviewing resumes and ranking candidates, researching residential properties (including school ratings, neighborhood safety, and available listings), and selecting stocks, complete with financial analysis and graphical displays. These capabilities signify a shift from AI as an assistant to AI as an independent decision-maker.
What Sets Manus Apart?
Manus is not just another chatbot like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. While most AI models require continuous user interaction to generate responses (one of the issues preventing their direct application in healthcare), Manus is designed to function autonomously, much like an executive overseeing multiple sub-agents to complete tasks. This capability enables Manus to perform real-world activities, such as job recruitment, real estate analysis, financial forecasting, and software development, with minimal to no human supervision.
The Hype and Initial Reception
The launch of Manus has generated significant interest. Within days, its official Discord server amassed over 138,000 members, and invite codes were reportedly being sold for thousands of dollars on Chinese resale platforms. Many leaders in the tech industry, including product heads at Hugging Face and investors at Menlo Ventures, have described it as “the most impressive AI tool” they’ve encountered. Manus has been tested against OpenAI’s Deep Research in the GAIA benchmark, where it reportedly outperformed its American competitor.
Despite its impressive capabilities, skepticism remains. Some experts argue that Manus is not a groundbreaking technological leap, but rather an advanced integration of existing AI models. Reports suggest that Manus combines Anthropic’s Claude, Alibaba’s Qwen, and other fine-tuned AI systems to deliver its results, implying that its success may stem more from strategic assembly than from genuine innovation.
A Comparison to China’s ‘DeepSeek Moment’
Manus’ emergence mirrors China’s “DeepSeek moment,” referring to the country’s AI “Sputnik moment” that occurred just a few months ago when the DeepSeek model rivaled OpenAI’s GPT-4. DeepSeek was seen as a clear sign that China had caught up in the large language model (LLM) race. However, Manus is different. Unlike DeepSeek, which was purely an AI reasoning model, Manus represents a leap toward autonomous AI. Does this mean that China now holds an advantage over Western counterparts?
Replacing Human Labor?
Manus raises concerns about job displacement. Unlike AI tools that enhance human efficiency, Manus is designed to replace human labor. Whether in recruitment, research, or software development, Manus seems capable (though I have not yet had access) of executing entire workflows without human intervention. This has sparked debate about how quickly industries will adapt to AI-driven automation and whether regulatory bodies can keep pace with these rapid advancements.
China’s AI Landscape
As Manus made headlines, Chinese tech giant Alibaba unveiled its latest AI model, QwQ-32B, claiming it surpasses OpenAI’s cost-efficient reasoning models. This wave of major AI advancements in China indicates a concerted push for AI supremacy. Alibaba has committed to investing $52.4 billion in AI and cloud computing over the next three years, signaling that China is not just catching up, but positioning itself aggressively as a leader in AI development.
A Shock to Silicon Valley
For years, the dominant narrative in AI focused on U.S. companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta refining their language models. The assumption was that the company with the most advanced chatbot or reasoning model would control the future of AI. Manus disrupts this assumption by shifting the focus from passive AI assistance to self-directed, action-oriented AI. This shift has sent ripples through Silicon Valley, where companies are now realizing that autonomous AI could be the next competitive battleground. AI capable of acting independently, executing tasks with precision, and optimizing workflows may soon become a standard business tool, forcing companies worldwide to adopt it or risk falling behind.
Is There a Future for Autonomous AI in Healthcare?
Despite the rapid advancements in AI, it is still not equipped to handle the complexities of human health — certainly not at the provider level. I have observed that Electronic Health Record (EHR) companies have shifted their marketing approach, moving from “We will help you generate and receive more revenue” to “Our AI will assist you.”
After over a decade of evidence showing that EHR systems have failed to improve consumer health outcomes, the possibility of using AI to “optimize” notes for more “accurate” billing raises alarms. I predict that Medicare, insurance companies, and other regulatory agencies will soon conduct major audits. AI-driven “optimization” has already been classified as fraud and abuse in cases with Medicare Advantage companies.
Before moving into healthcare technology, I operated four direct medical care companies. Over the years, we were audited dozens of times, and we never failed a single audit. We maintained our own billing companies, and I personally ensured my team knew I wouldn’t risk imprisonment for Medicare fraud. Our policy was to bill for services rendered, in full compliance with regulations, leaving millions of dollars unbilled when uncertain about boundaries to avoid overzealous supervisors.
To healthcare providers: My warning is clear — AI does not belong in your practice unless it is used for the sciences of radiology, pathology, or genetics.
Consumer Health AI
AI systems specifically designed and trained for health and wellness have the potential to revolutionize consumer healthcare. Such AI could help individuals aggregate personal health data, interpret its meaning, predict future conditions, and provide insights to discuss with their healthcare providers. Additionally, autonomous AI could play a critical role in helping consumers challenge the hundreds of millions of annual denials of care, treatment, or medication issued by the 1,000 payors in the U.S.
About HealthScoreAI ™
Healthcare is at a tipping point, and HealthScoreAI is positioning to revolutionize the industry by giving consumers control over their health data and unlocking its immense value. U.S. healthcare annual spending has exceeded $5 trillion with little improvement in outcomes. Despite advances, technology has failed to reduce costs or improve care. Meanwhile, 3,000 exabytes of consumer health data remain trapped in fragmented USA systems of 500 EHRs, leaving consumers and doctors without a complete picture of care.
HealthScoreAI seeks to provide a unique solution, acting as a data surrogate for consumers and offering an unbiased holistic view of their health. Giving Consumers tools to respond to denial of care by insurers, we aim to bridge gaps in healthcare access and outcomes. By monetizing de-identified data, HealthScoreAI seeks to share revenue with consumers, potentially creating a new $100 billion market value opportunity. With near-universal EHR adoption in the USA, and advances in technology, now is the perfect time to capitalize on the data available, practical use of AI and the empowering of consumers, in particular the 13,000 tech savvy baby boomers turning 65 every single day and entering the Medicare system for the first time. Our team, with deep healthcare and tech expertise, holds U.S. patents and a proven track record of scaling companies and leading them to IPO.
Noel J. Guillama-Alvarez
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguillama/
+1-561-904-9477, Ext 355
https://www.the-independent.com/tech/manus-ai-china-autonomous-agi-b2712068.html