Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of large models in consumer-facing applications, focusing on enhancing user interaction and enabling complex task execution through multi-modal capabilities and agent product ecosystems [4][6]. Multi-modal Capabilities - Major companies like ByteDance, Baidu, Google, and OpenAI have recently launched advanced multi-modal models, enabling innovative applications [4]. - Alibaba's AI product Quark introduced a new feature called "Photo Ask Quark," which utilizes multi-modal capabilities for enhanced user interaction [4][10]. - The development of multi-modal reasoning abilities is evident in products like Byte's Doubao 1.5 and OpenAI's o3 and o4-mini, which can analyze images and generate content [9][10]. Agent Execution Capabilities - The emergence of general agent products aims to execute complex tasks through natural language commands, with recent launches from companies like ByteDance and Baidu [4][5]. - The article highlights the need for agents to possess three key capabilities: integration with third-party data and tools, coding abilities, and strong task understanding [20][23]. - Manus has set a direction for agent products, showcasing a framework that combines user task understanding with tool integration [17]. Future of Agents - The ultimate goal for agents remains uncertain, with ongoing exploration in their development and application [7]. - The integration of multi-modal capabilities and agent execution abilities is crucial for creating a foundational entry point for future applications [25]. - OpenAI anticipates that AI agents will surpass ChatGPT in sales by the end of 2025, projecting revenues of $3 billion, with further growth expected by 2029 [25].

Core Insights - The article discusses the evolving landscape of AI applications, focusing on the dual pillars of multimodal capabilities and agent execution as key areas of development in the industry [1][2][3] Multimodal Capabilities - Major companies like ByteDance, Baidu, Google, and OpenAI have recently launched advanced multimodal models, enhancing application innovation [1][5] - Alibaba's AI product Quark introduced a new feature called "Photo Query Quark," which utilizes multimodal capabilities for user interaction [1][6] - OpenAI's latest models, o3 and o4-mini, have achieved significant multimodal understanding, allowing for image analysis and generation [5][16] - The integration of multimodal capabilities is expected to transform user experiences in work, study, and daily life, although current products are still in early exploration stages [2][3] Agent Execution - The article highlights the emergence of general agent products that can execute complex tasks based on natural language commands, with notable examples including ByteDance's Kouzi Space and Baidu's Xinxiang App [1][12] - The effectiveness of these agents relies on three key capabilities: connecting to third-party data and tools, coding ability, and task understanding [12][16] - OpenAI is exploring the acquisition of AI programming startup Windsurf to enhance coding capabilities for agents [16][17] - The anticipated revenue from AI agents is projected to exceed $3 billion by the end of 2025, with a potential contribution of $29 billion by 2029 [17] Future Directions - The article suggests that the future of agents may involve a more human-like ecosystem, with agents being developed according to specific professional roles [17] - The integration of multimodal capabilities with agent execution is seen as crucial for establishing a foundational entry point for future AI applications [17]