⚡ China's 2nd DeepSeek moment

Welcome, AI enthusiasts

China’s second DeepSeek moment? Meet Manus, a general AI agent that is capable of planning, thinking, and executing tasks independently. Manus has been going viral over the weekend and is positioned as a breakthrough in AI technology. Let’s dive in!

In today’s insights:

• China's second DeepSeek moment

• Mistral AI introduces the World’s Most Powerful OCR for document understanding

• Freelancers Losing Jobs to AI

Read time: 4 minutes

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

MANUS AI
⚡ China's second DeepSeek moment

Evolving AI: Chinese start-up Monica unveils ‘Manus’, claiming world’s first AI that can think like humans.

Key Points:

• Manus can think, plan, and perform complex tasks on its own.

• It surpassed OpenAI's models in recent tests.

• Currently, access is limited to invite-only users.

Details:

Excitement is mingling with skepticism as Chinese tech companies that hope to be seen as "the next DeepSeek" roll out one AI breakthrough after another. The latest, an AI agent called Manus, is making waves as a potential step toward real general AI. Unlike ChatGPT, it doesn’t just generate responses — it thinks, plans, and takes action. Early tests suggest it outperforms OpenAI’s models on complex tasks. But for now, access is limited to invite-only. Its name, meaning “Mind and Hand,” reflects its practical skills that only fuels excitement about what it could do in the real world.

Why It Matters:

Weeks after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made waves with its DeepSeek-R1 model, China appears to be on the verge of another major moment in the AI race. With its ability to conduct deep web research, create files, and automate various online tasks, Manus AI could significantly change how we interact with the internet. We received access from the developers, and in our early tests, it has delivered very impressive results. In the coming days and weeks, as more people gain access, we’ll see how it's received — but the hype is real. Since Manus is currently invite-only, reports suggest that invitation codes are selling for extreme prices, with some going for over $10,000 each.

The Supply Chain Crisis Is Escalating — But This Tech Startup Keeps Winning

Global supply chain chaos is intensifying. Major retailers warn of holiday shortages, and tech giants are slashing forecasts as parts dry up.

But while others scramble, one smart home innovator is thriving.

Their strategic move to manufacturing outside China has kept production running smoothly — driving 200% year-over-year growth, even as the industry stalls.

This foresight is no accident. The same leadership team that saw the supply chain storm coming has already expanded into over 120 BestBuy locations, with talks underway to add Walmart and Home Depot.

At just $1.90 per share, this resilient tech startup offers rare stability in uncertain times. As investors flee vulnerable companies, this window is closing fast.

SECURE YOUR POSITION BEFORE PRICES RISE

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MISTRAL AI
🤖 Mistral AI introduces the World’s Most Powerful OCR for document understanding

Evolving AI: Mistral just released an OCR tool that accurately converts complex documents into usable data.

Key Points:

• Mistral OCR turns handwritten notes, images, and equations into clear, structured data.

• It outperforms Google, Azure, and OpenAI in recent tests.

• Companies can deploy it on-site to keep sensitive data secure.

Details:

Mistral released a powerful new OCR tool that understands complex documents better than traditional solutions. Unlike old OCR, this tool easily handles mixed content like handwriting, tables, and math formulas, converting them neatly into structured formats. It’s now part of popular apps like Le Chat and accessible to businesses worldwide. Mistral's OCR helps teams quickly digitize stacks of papers, making data easier to search, analyze, and integrate into AI systems or databases.

Why It Matters:

AI is moving from a backend tool to a customer-facing assistant. Small businesses can now offer AI-driven support, marketing, and customer service without hiring large teams. The time to start using AI in your business to stay ahead of the curve, is now.

AI IN ECONOMY
🤖 Freelancers Losing Jobs to AI

Evolving AI: More people are freelancing than ever, but AI is making it harder to earn a living.

Key Points:

• The number of freelancers is rising, but many don’t have a choice.

• AI is cutting job opportunities and lowering pay, even for skilled workers.

• Some unions are pushing back, but freelancers have fewer protections.

Details:

Freelancing has become a way of life for millions. In 2024, over 76 million Americans worked as freelancers, up from 64 million in 2023. Many take on gig work because full-time jobs are harder to find. Companies prefer contract workers since they don’t have to offer benefits or job security. Now, AI is making things even tougher. A study found that AI reduces both job opportunities and pay for freelancers, even those with high earnings. While tech companies promise AI will free people from repetitive work, it’s being used to replace skilled workers instead. Some unions have fought back against job losses from automation, but freelancers don’t have the same support.

Why It Matters:

AI is changing jobs across industries, not just freelancing. From Hollywood to healthcare, automation is replacing skilled workers. AI-generated content is reshaping creative fields, while tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney reduce demand for writers, designers, and voice actors. In business, AI-driven hiring and contract automation are shifting how companies manage workers. If AI keeps advancing without protections, will most jobs become unstable gig work?

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