Zhipu AI Launches Free AI Agent

Chinese AI startup Zhipu AI has unveiled AutoGLM Rumination, a free AI agent capable of tasks such as web searches, travel planning, and research report writing. Powered by Zhipu's models GLM-Z1-Air and GLM-4-Air-0414, it rivals DeepSeek's R1 in performance but operates up to eight times faster and requires significantly fewer resources. Unlike competitor Manus, which charges up to $199 monthly, Zhipu offers its agent for free via its website and app. Founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Tsinghua University, Zhipu AI recently attracted significant government-backed funding, including a substantial investment from Chengdu. This launch intensifies competition in China's AI market, highlighting the rapid advancements and strategic investments in the sector.