- Manus AI joins forces with Alibaba’s Qwen team to enhance its AI agent capabilities.
- Manus AI claims superiority over OpenAI’s DeepResearch, sparking discussions in China’s AI landscape.
- Partnership aims to integrate Qwen’s AI models and computing resources with Manus’ AI agent.
Chinese AI startup Manus AI has announced a strategic partnership with the Qwen AI team from Alibaba, a move expected to boost its AI agent technology and address the growing demand for its services. Unlike traditional chatbots, Manus AI’s product operates as a digital employee, capable of executing complex tasks with minimal human input.
The collaboration will focus on integrating Qwen’s open-source AI models with Manus AI’s functions, enhancing its performance and ensuring better computing capabilities for users in China. A spokesperson from Alibaba confirmed the partnership, expressing enthusiasm about working with more AI innovators globally.
A Rising Force in AI
Manus AI officially launched last week, quickly gaining attention after claiming that its AI agent outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch. The launch generated significant interest on Chinese social media, with many drawing comparisons to DeepSeek, a chatbot that surprised Silicon Valley by delivering OpenAI-level performance at a fraction of the cost.
With offices in Beijing and Wuhan, Manus AI operates under Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology Ltd Co. To promote its capabilities, the company has been completing AI-driven tasks for users on X (formerly Twitter) for free, generating further interest in its technology.
Challenges in Scaling Up
Despite its rapid rise, Manus AI has struggled with growing demand, admitting on X that its website is experiencing malfunctions due to increased traffic. The partnership with Qwen could help Manus AI scale its operations and improve reliability while expanding its user base.
At present, Manus AI remains accessible only by invitation, a strategy that has fueled exclusivity but also limited its immediate reach.
Alibaba’s Competitive Play Against DeepSeek
Alibaba’s Qwen team has been a key player in China’s AI race, responding swiftly to DeepSeek’s success earlier this year by releasing a model that claimed to outperform DeepSeek-V3. By partnering with Manus AI, Alibaba is strengthening its position in the AI ecosystem and competing more aggressively against emerging AI giants like DeepSeek.
With this collaboration, China’s AI industry is set for further disruption, as companies race to develop the most advanced AI agents capable of reshaping the future of automation and digital workforces.
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Source: Reuters
