Tencent's Marvis: Different Paths for an AI Agent—Taking Control of Your Computer

By Li Zhaofeng | Edited by Zhang Yuxin Recently, Tencent launched a new version of Marvis, upgrading its personal agent persona from 'Black Horse' to 'AI Butler.' Smart Emergence reports that as of this month, Marvis's daily active users have nearly quadrupled since its May launch. Originating from Tencent's App Store team, the app was initially positioned as an 'OS-level personal AI assistant' focused on tasks like installing software and finding files. This update places system and hardware management front and center: Marvis can now check battery health, identify power-hungry apps, and adjust startup items. Cai Jiantao, head of Marvis Business, noted that user behavior has evolved beyond initial expectations, with many treating it as a true AI Butler. While local file management remains the top use case (44% of users), hardware management follows closely (28%). Early users struggled to know what to do with the app; this update addresses that by focusing on four core areas: computer, files, software, and browser. The article contrasts Marvis's approach with other agents. While some target office scenarios (e.g., Anthropic's Claude Cowork, WorkBuddy) or online life (e.g., Meta's Muse), Marvis aims to manage the terminal itself. Uniquely, it uses on-device models to index authorized data for faster local searches, unlike competitors relying solely on cloud models. The new version lowers hardware requirements from 6-core/16GB to 4-core/8GB and expands search capabilities to NAS devices in partnership with Intel and Feiniu. Although not primarily an office tool, Marvis handles files which inevitably overlaps with office tasks. Tencent is also integrating its agent ecosystem, recently merging QClaw into WorkBuddy. While WorkBuddy has clear commercial traction, Marvis plans a future monetization model focused on professional tools within its ecosystem rather than just basic AI capabilities.