Manus AI Use Cases: A Prompt Expert’s Hands-On Experience

image source: Monica.im

Manus, developed by the Monica.im team, is the world's first general-purpose AI agent capable of independent thinking, planning, and executing complex tasks to deliver complete results.

ladder of abstraction and Leaky abstraction

Prompt Expert Jigang Li said: Manus brings to mind two concepts: "ladder of abstraction" and "leaky abstraction."

The "ladder of abstraction" is a concept introduced by linguist Samuel I. Hayakawa, commonly found in various writing manuals. The bottom of the ladder represents the most concrete ideas, while the top represents the most abstract concepts.

Every idea we use resides somewhere on this ladder. Good writing guides suggest that one should aim to position their language at either end of the ladder—using highly abstract, generalized expressions or describing the most concrete, detailed experiences. This approach demands high levels of conceptual abstraction and experiential awareness. Most of the time, we find ourselves stuck in the middle, speaking in ways that fail to fully capture either end.

"Leaky abstraction" refers to the phenomenon in software development where abstractions intended to hide implementation details inevitably expose underlying details and limitations. This issue is challenging because the purpose of abstraction is to shield users from unnecessary details.

I observe a trend: AI's abstraction encapsulation is becoming increasingly refined, better addressing the problem of leaky abstractions, resulting in user interfaces that are extremely simple and direct.

At this point, what do humans interact with through these interfaces? They engage with their current position on the "ladder of abstraction" (depth of understanding).

Interacting with large language models (LLMs) feels different from interacting with Manus:

• One feels like conversing with an execution team
• The other feels like consulting with a general contractor

Practical Cases Using Manus

Manus Case 1: Explaining Concepts Through Comics

• Prompt: Generate an HTML webpage that uses multiple hand-drawn black-and-white comics combined with minimalist text to explain the essence of "investment" in a progressively deeper, yet easily understandable manner.

• Generated webpage:https://jtjmcawb.manus.space

  

• Follow-up Prompt: Please maintain the same style to create a new webpage that progressively explains the working principles of "reinforcement learning."

• Generated webpage:https://piupyygp.manus.space

Manus Case 2: SVG Card

• Prompt: Using the style of the article on the https://ralphammer.com/ website, generate an SVG card that explains in depth what 'consciousness' is from the essentials
• Generated Result：
  
• Follow-up Prompt:: Also based on Ralph Hammer's graphical explanations and concise, accurate explanations, create an HTML article that explains what “embodied intelligence” is.
• Generated Result：
  

AI Mode

In exploring AI tools, another platform worth noting is Scifocus.ai. Designed for academic researchers, students, and professionals, Scifocus is an AI-driven platform that streamlines the research process by offering comprehensive support for academic search, paper writing, and literature management. It generates structured prompts, summarizes academic documents, and provides customizable outputs to meet specific requirements. Users can leverage advanced features such as real-time collaboration and adaptive learning modules to enhance academic rigor, save time, and improve the quality and efficiency of their research work.

Conclusion

Will our brains and AI form a "we" relationship? Not just me "using" a tool, but a state of coexistence where "you are a part of me" and "we are one"?

Will our legs be augmented by "autonomous driving" and "robots," with physical movement entirely managed by AI?

Will our hands, these intricate organs, be enhanced by "agents," allowing our words to manifest actions? How will they manifest? There must be "hands" to execute tasks. Are we already glimpsing the "hand of God" in Manus AI?