China’s AI ambitions are no secret, and Manus AI was shaping up to be the country’s boldest attempt yet to challenge OpenAI’s dominance. Billed as a next-generation AI system capable of autonomous action, web searches, and real-world interactions, Manus AI was poised to become China’s answer to ChatGPT—on steroids. But just as it was gaining traction, OpenAI dropped a game-changing bombshell: the Agents SDK.
With this new release, OpenAI has effectively democratized AI agent technology, undercutting Manus AI before it even had a chance to properly launch.
What Is Manus AI?
Manus AI, developed by a leading Chinese AI firm, was rumored to be an autonomous AI agent with capabilities far beyond traditional chatbots. Unlike ChatGPT, which primarily generates text-based responses, Manus AI could take real-world actions—browsing the internet, executing tasks on a user’s computer, and integrating with various applications.
Its goal? To create an AI-powered digital assistant that could not only answer questions but also complete tasks autonomously—searching for information, organizing files, booking appointments, even managing simple workflows.
The project was seen as a direct response to OpenAI’s dominance, with China aiming to carve out its own space in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. However, OpenAI just flipped the script.
OpenAI’s Agents SDK: A Game-Changer
On the eve of Manus AI’s expected launch, OpenAI released the Agents SDK, a plug-and-play framework that allows any developer to build AI agents—without the need for custom infrastructure or expensive models.
Unlike previous AI tools, which required extensive coding and integration, Agents SDK makes AI agent development as simple as writing a few lines of code. It comes pre-equipped with powerful tools, including:
* Web Search – AI agents can browse the internet in real time.
* File Search – AI can scan and retrieve files locally or from cloud storage.
* Computer Use – AI agents can control certain aspects of a user’s system.
* Response API – Allows integration into external applications.
And OpenAI isn’t stopping there—more tools are already in the pipeline.
This completely changes the AI landscape. Previously, building something like Manus AI required:
Expensive AI models and cloud infrastructure
Custom software development
Complex API integrations
Now? Anyone can build a Manus-like AI agent using OpenAI’s free framework.
Did OpenAI Just Kill Manus AI?
By releasing Agents SDK for free, OpenAI has effectively neutralized one of China’s biggest AI projects before it could fully take off. Instead of competing with a proprietary Chinese AI agent, developers worldwide now have access to similar capabilities through OpenAI.
This isn’t just a defensive move—it’s an offensive play. OpenAI is ensuring that AI agents become a global standard, controlled and developed within its ecosystem, rather than letting competitors like Manus AI set the pace.
China’s AI industry thrives on closed ecosystems and government-backed projects, but OpenAI’s open-source-style approach makes it harder for proprietary solutions like Manus AI to stand out. Why would developers use Manus AI when they can build their own AI agent using OpenAI’s free tools?
What Happens Next?
Manus AI may still launch, but its competitive edge is now severely weakened. Without exclusive technology or unique features, it may struggle to attract developers when OpenAI’s SDK offers the same capabilities with fewer restrictions.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s move raises bigger questions:
Will China pivot toward even more government-controlled AI to counter OpenAI’s influence?
How will the U.S. and other countries respond to China’s AI ambitions if OpenAI keeps outpacing them?
Are we witnessing the beginning of a new AI Cold War, where open AI ecosystems clash with closed, state-controlled alternatives?
One thing is clear: the AI landscape has fundamentally shifted overnight.
With the Agents SDK, anyone can now build an AI agent—not just big tech firms or government-backed entities. OpenAI didn’t just outmaneuver Manus AI.
They just redefined the future of AI.
