This week saw major developments in AI agent startups worldwide. In the USA, Raleigh-based Tarka launched an AI agent for LinkedIn that helps businesses find customers automatically. Meanwhile in China, Zhipu AI released a free agent called GLM-Z1-Rumination claiming to beat OpenAI’s tools at tasks like web research. Another Chinese startup, Butterfly Effect, faced both excitement and doubts about its Manus AI agent for jobs like building websites.

Workers are getting nervous as companies like McKinsey test AI agents that can do parts of human jobs faster. One McKinsey project cut project planning time from 20 days to 2 using AI. Experts warn 32% of workers fear job losses from this technology.

Startups are racing to make AI agents better at “thinking” like humans. Tarka’s agents mimic how people use LinkedIn, while Zhipu’s models claim advantages in speed and cost. However, some tools like Manus still have bugs and errors during testing.