"This wouldn't be possible without the amazing open-source community, which is why we're committed to giving back" co-founder Ji Yichao said in a product demo video. "ManusAI operates as a multi-agent system powered by several distinct models, so later this year, we're going to open source some of these models," he added.
Zhipu AI, one of the country's leading AI startups, this month announced on WeChat that 2025 would be "the year of open source."
Ray Wang, principal analyst and founder of Constellation Research, told CNBC that companies have been compelled to make these moves following the emergence of DeepSeek.
"With DeepSeek free, it's impossible for any other Chinese competitors to charge for the same thing. They have to move to open-source business models in order to compete," said Wang.