Chinese AI startup Zhipu AI has introduced a new free AI agent called AutoGLM Rumination, marking a significant development in China’s rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector. The product, which can handle tasks like web searches, travel planning, and research report writing, was unveiled at an event in Beijing. Powered by Zhipu’s proprietary GLM-Z1-Air and GLM-4-Air-0414 models, the agent is said to be faster and more efficient than its competitors, including DeepSeek’s R1, running up to eight times faster while using only a fraction of the computing resources.
Zhipu AI’s new launch intensifies competition in China’s AI landscape, following similar releases from companies like DeepSeek and Manus. While Manus offers its AI agent at a subscription price of up to $199 per month, Zhipu’s AutoGLM Rumination will be available for free. This move is seen as part of a broader trend in China, where AI startups are racing to innovate and offer increasingly powerful and affordable products. Zhipu’s agent is designed to make autonomous decisions and perform various tasks, signaling the growing sophistication of AI technology in the region.
Zhipu AI, founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Tsinghua University, has quickly become one of China’s top AI firms, largely due to the success of its GLM model series. The startup claims that its latest model, GLM-4, outperforms OpenAI’s GPT-4 on certain benchmarks, further solidifying its position in the competitive market. The company has also attracted attention with its recent funding rounds, including a substantial investment of 300 million yuan ($41.5 million) from Chengdu’s government, indicating strong backing from both the private and public sectors.
The launch of AutoGLM Rumination is part of a larger wave of innovation in China’s AI sector, which has seen significant advancements and an increasing number of startups pushing the envelope. Zhipu AI’s latest move could reshape the landscape, offering a powerful, cost-effective alternative to existing products from U.S. companies. With its growing portfolio of AI models and strong financial backing, Zhipu AI is well-positioned to challenge global tech giants in the near future.
Source: Reuters