BIDU(US:BIDU) Hu Xiu·2025-04-27 23:48Core Viewpoint - Manus is recognized as the "world's first general-purpose AI agent product," capable of autonomously delivering finished products based on simple text requests from users [2]. Group 1: Manus and Its Impact - Manus generated significant interest with products like the "Oval Office Duel: Zelensky Simulator," sparking new imaginations in AI gaming and products [3]. - Due to regulatory constraints, access to Manus has been restricted domestically, requiring an invitation code for login [5]. - Inspired by Manus, companies like Baidu, ByteDance, Kortix-AI, and MainFunc are rapidly launching their own general-purpose AI agent platforms [6]. Group 2: Baidu's Heartbeat App - At the Create 2025 Baidu AI Developer Conference, Baidu launched the Heartbeat App, which can autonomously plan and collaborate with multiple agents based on user instructions, similar to Manus [7]. - The development of Heartbeat App was accelerated by the popularity of Manus, with the team working overtime to create it within a month [9]. - Heartbeat App is fully compliant with regulatory requirements as it utilizes domestic large models and is currently available on Android, with iOS approval pending [9]. Group 3: Comparison of AI Agents - A comparison of the programming capabilities of Heartbeat App, Manus, and ByteDance's Kouzi Space revealed that while all could understand instructions, the execution quality varied significantly [15][22]. - Manus took 32 minutes to complete a task but produced a polished product that met the requirements, while Heartbeat App and Kouzi Space struggled with the visual elements [24]. - In a test for information retrieval, Manus proactively asked for details about the desired iPhone 16 model, while Heartbeat App and Kouzi Space provided generic pricing without further inquiry [30]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities in AI - Despite the proliferation of general-purpose AI agents, many remain in beta testing due to high operational costs and token consumption, with only Heartbeat App currently available to users [11]. - The MCP (Model Context Protocol) is seen as a catalyst for the maturity of AI applications, allowing large language models to connect with external data sources and tools [54][55]. - The integration of MCP has enabled Heartbeat App to utilize real-time data from Baidu Maps, enhancing its functionality [56]. Group 5: Industry Landscape and Future Outlook - The AI industry is transitioning from entertainment-focused applications to productivity tools with commercial value, as evidenced by the recent surge in general-purpose AI agents [10]. - Baidu's strategy focuses on empowering developers and expanding the AI ecosystem, recognizing the limitations of its current resources compared to competitors like Tencent and ByteDance [67][68]. - The competition landscape for general-purpose AI agents remains unclear, but the industry is moving towards realizing the practical value of AI technology [70].