Manus AI Automates Complex Tasks, Schedules Work
Manus AI is a new AI agent designed to automate complex tasks by performing actions like watching videos and browsing the web. It offers advanced scheduling for daily briefings and can create custom 'skills' for repetitive workflows. The tool also excels at document and slide generation with unique editing capabilities.
Manus AI Offers Advanced Automation and Scheduling
A new AI agent called Manus is emerging as a powerful tool for automating complex tasks and saving users significant time. Unlike many existing AI tools that rely on web scraping, Manus can perform actions like watching videos and browsing the web as a human employee would, offering a deeper level of task completion.
Finding Specific Video Content
One of Manus’s standout capabilities is its ability to locate very specific information within video content. For instance, it can find a clip discussing a particular topic, like a new test for artificial general intelligence (AGI), and even provide the exact timestamp and a link to a short summary. This goes beyond what typical AI tools can do, which often just pull general web search results.
To accomplish this, Manus boots up its own virtual computer and browses the web, then actively watches content. This process allows it to pinpoint precise information that would otherwise require hours of manual searching. A key benefit highlighted is the ability to run multiple tasks simultaneously, meaning users can start a new task while Manus works on another.
Automated Daily Briefings
Manus also introduces advanced scheduling features, allowing users to set tasks to run at specific times. This is a significant advantage over tools like ChatGPT or Claude, which typically require immediate input. A practical application demonstrated is the automation of daily AI news filtering.
Instead of spending hours each morning checking various social media feeds and websites for the latest AI developments, users can configure Manus to do this automatically. For example, a task can be set to run daily at 9:00 AM UK time, searching platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Hacker News for the top AI news. Manus then ranks the stories by impact and can even present this information in a live-updating dashboard format.
This automated briefing system, built in just minutes with simple prompts, acts as a personal command center. It aggregates information from multiple sources, providing a concise overview of the most important AI stories without manual effort. Manus can also be instructed to broaden its search sources, ensuring a comprehensive briefing.
Document Creation and Custom Skills
Manus can also generate various types of documents, including scripts for videos. Users can prompt it to write a script on a specific topic, like Andrej Karpathy’s research, explaining its significance and implications for AGI and companies like Nvidia. The AI can research the topic, structure the script, and provide citations.
The transparency of Manus’s process is a notable feature. Users can view its virtual computer to see exactly how it’s working, which helps in identifying and correcting any errors. The generated scripts can be exported in various formats like Word, PDF, or Markdown, and saved directly to cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Beyond document generation, Manus supports custom ‘skills.’ These are like pre-programmed instructions that teach the AI how to perform specific types of tasks consistently. For instance, a user can create a skill to turn long-form content into short-form video scripts for platforms like YouTube Shorts. This skill can be customized for specific platforms, defining tone, length, and structure, including calls to action.
Once a skill is created, users can simply select it when initiating a task, eliminating the need to re-explain the process each time. This allows for highly efficient content repurposing and workflow automation, especially for repetitive tasks.
Slide Generation with Advanced Integrations
Manus also excels at creating presentations, integrating with tools like NanoBanana Pro to generate visually appealing slides. Users can choose from various templates, including a whiteboard style, to create dynamic presentations. The AI first researches the data and then generates image-based slides.
This process is described as a multi-agentic workflow, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is used. A particularly impressive feature is the ability to edit text directly on the generated slides. Manus analyzes images, identifies text boxes, and allows users to modify content, such as changing user numbers or descriptions, directly within the presentation tool. This level of interactivity and precision saves considerable time compared to manually editing slides or relying solely on image generation tools.
Why This Matters
Manus AI represents a significant step forward in AI agent capabilities. By performing actions that mimic human work, such as watching videos and browsing interactively, it moves beyond simple information retrieval. The ability to schedule tasks and create custom skills allows for deep personalization and automation of complex, recurring workflows. For content creators, researchers, and busy professionals, Manus offers the potential to reclaim hours of manual work, streamline content production, and stay informed with automated briefings. The integrated editing features for slides also enhance the practicality and usability of AI-generated presentations, making it a truly all-in-one tool for many digital tasks.
Source: How To Use Manus AI – Manus AI Tutorial 2026 (YouTube)





