How Heicoders Students Are Using Manus AI to Solve Real Problems

Summary

• No-Code AI Agent Builders Enable Everyone: Platforms like Manus AI allow non-technical users to create sophisticated AI agents through visual interfaces and natural language, democratizing access to AI development.
• AI Agents as Goal-Oriented Systems: Unlike large language models (LLMs) that just generate text, AI agents orchestrate multiple tools and processes to achieve specific objectives, acting as project managers of AI workflows.
• Benefits for Non-Technical Professionals: Using AI agents significantly increases efficiency, automates complex tasks, boosts problem-solving abilities, fosters innovation, and provides career advancement opportunities without deep technical skills.
• Getting Started with AI Agents: Begin by identifying specific problems, exploring user-friendly platforms, starting with simple agents, and continually learning and iterating to improve results.
• The Future of Work with AI: AI tools like Manus AI will augment human capabilities, empower professionals, and transform work and careers through active engagement and experimentation.

From Chatbots to AI Agents

AI has come a long way in a short time. First, we had tools like ChatGPT that made it easy to brainstorm and write. But these tools need constant guidance; you have to feed them every instruction.

Now comes the next leap: AI agents that don’t just talk, but act. That’s where Manus AI steps in.

At Heicoders Academy, our students are already putting Manus AI to the test. They’ve used it to design study plans, prototype workflow tools, and even build games that tackle misinformation. These aren’t futuristic dreams; they’re real projects happening in our classrooms today.

Before we explore these stories, though, it’s worth pausing to understand what Manus AI actually is, why it matters, and how it works in practice.

What Is Manus AI (and Why It Matters)

Most people are familiar with AI chatbots like ChatGPT: you give them an instruction, and they give you a reply. Manus AI takes things further. It’s a general autonomous AI agent that doesn’t just respond, it plans, executes, and delivers results on its own.

Here’s how it works in practice: imagine asking Manus, “Create a website for me.” Instead of spitting out code in one go, Manus first breaks your request into steps like a task list:

• Find or create a profile
• Compile details and assets
• Generate design and structure
• Build and publish the site

Each of these subtasks is then handled by specialised AI “agents” — one for planning, one for research, one for coding, one for design — working together much like a project team.

Because it operates asynchronously in the cloud, Manus keeps going even if your laptop is shut. You don’t need to babysit it or keep prompting for the next step. When it’s done, you receive the output: whether that’s a polished report, a dashboard, a prototype, or even a complete app.

This autonomy is what makes Manus different. It’s not a chatbot waiting for your next command, it’s more like a capable collaborator that carries your ideas forward independently.

By integrating Manus AI into our Generative AI for Automation and Productivity (GA100) course, Heicoders Academy empowers students to:

• Streamline complex tasks, cutting hours of manual work into minutes
• Manage projects independently, without needing to micromanage every step
• Explore new opportunities, experimenting with bold ideas that once felt out of reach

In short, Manus AI helps learners experience first-hand how AI agents can reshape both work and life, turning creativity into outcomes that matter.

Real Problems, Real Solutions: How Heicoders Graduates Are Already Using Manus AI

1. Designing a Study Plan for Primary 4 Maths (Adel Kwan)

Sometimes the most meaningful uses of AI aren’t about work, they’re about family. For Adel, the opportunity came when she wanted to support her daughter’s learning.

• Challenge: Her daughter was struggling with Primary 4 Mathematics, and planning revision took hours each week.
• What Manus AI Did: Processed SGExam materials and produced a structured 8-week personalised study plan, complete with weekly exam paper assignments.
• Impact:
  • Saved significant time on manual planning
  • Sparked fresh ideas for exam prep she hadn’t considered
  • Gave her daughter clarity and confidence

For Adel, this project showed that AI isn’t just about work, it can make a real difference at home, supporting the people who matter most. You can see how Adel used Manus AI to accomplish her task here.

2. Recipe Generator for Singapore Supermarkets (Yue Hao Choong)

For Yue Hao, inspiration struck at the supermarket. As someone who loves good food and great deals, he often found himself exhausted by the weekly grind of hunting for discounts and planning meals.

• Challenge: Weekend meal planning was repetitive and tiring, and sourcing supermarket deals took too much time.
• What Manus Did: Built an AI-powered recipe generator that:
  • Scans supermarkets in Singapore for the best ingredient deals
  • Crafts omakase-style recipes using those ingredients
  • Sends fresh meal ideas to your inbox every Friday evening
• Impact:
  • Simplified the weekly routine of grocery shopping and planning
  • Added fun and variety to meals, instead of repetitive recipes
  • Proved that AI can make everyday life smoother and more enjoyable

For Yue Hao, Manus became a creative kitchen assistant, turning shopping lists into delicious surprises every weekend. You can watch how he built the recipe generator here.

“Spot The Fake!” — A Media Literacy Game (Wong Xiao Fang)

Not all student projects are personal, some aim to create social impact. Xiao Fang wanted to build a tool to help young people think critically about the information they consume.

• Challenge: Wanted to create a learning tool to help young people recognise misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes.
• What Manus AI Did: Built a playable educational game, handling research, content design, coding, and deployment.
• Impact:
  • Produced a fully functioning prototype end-to-end
  • Showed how AI can be used for social good, not just productivity
  • Created a meaningful project with relevance beyond the classroom

For Xiao Fang, Manus AI became more than a productivity tool, it became a way to spark awareness and inspire critical thinking in society. Check out the game Xiao Fang built with Manus AI here.

4. Skin Analysis Website: SkinAllytics (Liong Kai Wen)

Sometimes the most powerful projects come from personal challenges. For Kai Wen, it was the confusing and expensive process of figuring out the right skincare routine.

• Challenge: Struggled with the overwhelming journey of finding the right skincare products.
• What Manus Did: Helped him create SkinAllytics, a skin analysis website that:
• Analyses unique skincare needs
• Suggests personalised product routines
• Provides holistic advice including diet and lifestyle tips
  
• Impact:
• Gave him a breakthrough solution to a personal pain point
• Turned a frustration into an innovative product idea
• Changed his perspective on what’s possible with AI

For Kai Wen, this project was more than a tool, it reshaped his belief in what AI can help individuals achieve. You can try out Kai Wen’s SkinAllytics tool here.

5. Building an SOP Builder MVP (Adel Kwan)

• Challenge: Documenting and creating SOPs at work is time-consuming and often neglected.
• What Manus AI Did: Generated a prototype SOP Builder, pulling together templates, workflows, and best practices.
• Impact:
• Delivered a minimum viable product within hours
• Proved that AI could kickstart complex projects quickly
• Gave Adel the confidence to experiment and innovate
• Key takeaway: “Don’t be afraid to try and fail—be afraid of failing without ever trying.”

This experiment reminded Adel that with the right tools, big ideas don’t need to stay on the shelf, they can be brought to life faster than expected. Check out the final product Adel built with Manus AI here. 

Heicoders x Manus AI: Where Education Meets Intelligence

So, why are these kinds of projects possible at Heicoders? The answer lies in our partnership with Manus AI.

A. Bringing State-of-the-Art Tools Into the Classroom

Starting from August 2025, Manus AI is officially integrated into our Generative AI for Automation and Productivity (GA100) course. This means students don’t just hear about AI agents as a concept, they actually use one of the most advanced platforms available today. It’s a shift from theory to practice, from talking about the future to experiencing it first-hand.

B. A Two-Way Learning Loop

The partnership isn’t one-directional. As students use Manus AI for real projects, they generate new insights and use cases. These get fed back into the Manus AI team, helping the platform evolve. In return, learners get exposure to cutting-edge features shaped by real-world needs. This feedback loop ensures that the education isn’t static, it grows with the technology.

C. Shared Mission and Values

At its core, this partnership is about more than technology. Heicoders and Manus AI share the belief that advanced AI should be accessible, practical, and empowering. We believe that giving learners the chance to experiment with tools like Manus AI can spark changes that extend far beyond the classroom.

D. Thought Leadership in AI Education

By joining forces, both Heicoders and Manus AI are setting an example for how education and technology can intersect. It’s not just about teaching what AI is; it’s about showing learners how to harness it in meaningful ways. Together, we’re building a model for AI-first education that prepares people to thrive in a future where autonomy and creativity go hand in hand.

What This Means for You

If you’ve been curious about AI but unsure where to begin, Manus AI offers a clear glimpse into what’s possible. It’s not just another tool to play with, it’s a way to build real outcomes that matter in your studies, your work, and even your personal life.

Here’s why it matters for you as a learner at Heicoders:

• Save valuable hours. Instead of getting bogged down in repetitive tasks like structuring data, drafting SOPs, or planning study timetables, you can let Manus AI handle the heavy lifting and free up your time for strategy and creativity.
• Build projects that stand out. Whether it’s an educational game, a workflow prototype, or a personalised study plan, you’ll graduate with tangible work you can showcase in a portfolio or bring back to your workplace.
• Experiment with confidence. Manus AI makes it easier to try bold ideas because the cost of failure is lower. Even if the first attempt isn’t perfect, you’ll have a working prototype in hand—and the courage to keep iterating.
• Make a meaningful impact. As our students have shown, AI isn’t just for office productivity. It can support your family, help communities, or spark social change. The applications are as broad as your imagination.
  

At Heicoders Academy, we don’t just teach you the theory of AI. Through our partnership with Manus AI, you’ll get hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art AI agent, learning how to turn ideas into reality, just like our students have done. It’s about equipping you with future-ready skills and the confidence to use AI as a true partner in your journey.

Leading the Future of AI Education Together

AI education should be practical, meaningful, and transformative. That’s why Manus AI is now part of the learning journey at Heicoders Academy—giving students hands-on experience with one of the most advanced autonomous AI agents today.

From parents designing study plans, to professionals prototyping workplace tools, to students building socially impactful games, learners are already applying Manus AI to solve real problems. These projects show that when human creativity meets the right technology, the results are powerful and immediate.

By placing cutting-edge AI tools directly in students’ hands, we ensure learning goes beyond theory. Learners don’t just study AI—they experience how it drives productivity, sparks innovation, and unlocks new possibilities. Want to experience Manus AI for yourself? Create your account here and start exploring what’s possible.

With Manus AI, Heicoders Academy is shaping the future of education and empowering the next generation of creators.

If you’d like to understand how Manus AI fits into our teaching, you can explore the Generative AI for Automation and Productivity (GA100) course page. It’s where we share the full details of the curriculum and how learners gain hands-on experience with tools shaping the future of work.

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