AutoGLM Reflection - Zhipu AI's First Free Intelligent Agent: Deep Research+Automated Web Operations

1. Rumination Mode (Web & Mobile App Versions)

The Rumination function tackles open-ended complex questions through simultaneous reasoning and real-time web crawling. It browses dozens or even hundreds of web pages, then compiles well-structured long-form analytical reports with full cited source references attached.

Users do not need to craft elaborate complex prompts manually. The AI automatically decomposes core questions, plans multi-step search paths, filters valid information and integrates complete coherent outputs. It fits scenarios including industry research reports, academic literature reviews, market analysis, travel itineraries and product comparative research.

2. AutoGLM Rumination (Full PC Client Edition)

Built on the basic Rumination capability, the full PC version adds native browser automation control. The AI can directly operate Chrome to complete a full set of web actions: open designated websites, input search keywords, click links & buttons, scroll page content, extract text & images, and trigger site-specific internal searches.

Since it simulates genuine human browsing behavior, AutoGLM can access platforms without public open APIs — CNKI, Xiaohongshu, WeChat Official Accounts, CNINFO, JD.com and more. This is its core competitive edge over ordinary Deep Research tools limited to public search interfaces.

3. Full Self-Developed Technical Architecture

AutoGLM Rumination runs on Zhipu AI’s end-to-end self-built large model stack, integrating four core specialized models:

• GLM-4-Air: Base foundation model for general language comprehension and text generation.
• GLM-Z1-Air: Reasoning model dedicated to question decomposition and task scheduling. Its reasoning performance matches DeepSeek R1, yet runs 8× faster at only 3% of R1’s cost.
• GLM-Z1-Rumination: Specialized rumination model with deep self-reflection and ultra-long text processing capabilities.
• AutoGLM Execution Model: Responsible for browser automation, page element recognition and interactive web operations.

4. Applicable Scenarios & Sample Prompts

1. Industry research report Write a 10,000-word report on the disruptive impact of generative AI on future knowledge production paradigms.
2. Academic research & literature sorting Collect academic papers and materials related to the MCP protocol and compile a popular science article.
3. Stock market fundamental analysis Access the CNINFO official website and sort out all listed companies issued delisting warning notices in 2025.
4. Digital shopping comparison Budget 8,000–12,000 RMB for a laptop mainly for graphic design and AI local inference; compare pros and cons across mainstream brands.
5. Travel itinerary planning Plan a 3-day Hong Kong trip, and pull real visitor reviews for every attraction from Xiaohongshu.
6. Education & tutorial creation Design a beginner tutorial teaching 10-year-old children to call LLM APIs with Python.

5. Strategic Technical Positioning: Shift From Dialogue to Autonomous Action

Zhipu positions AutoGLM Rumination as a landmark leap for AI — shifting from passive question answering to proactive task execution. Zhipu CEO Zhang Peng put forward the theory that Agents follow their own Scaling Law: as model scale, training data and tool-use capabilities expand, the autonomy and practical value of intelligent agents grow continuously.

Real-World Test Performance & Existing Limitations

Recognized Strengths from Multi-Source Benchmark Tests

1. Powerful cross-source information integration: Automatically crawl dozens of web pages and output logically structured complete reports.
2. Access to closed proprietary platforms: Fully operate Xiaohongshu, Zhihu, CNKI and other sites without open APIs.
3. Zero barrier to entry: Completely free for all users, no paid subscriptions or invitation codes required.

Obvious Current Limitations

1. Dependence on search engine ranking algorithms: Hard to distinguish low-quality or misleading content manipulated by SEO tactics.
2. Slow execution speed: Every browser action requires page rendering and element identification; complex multi-step tasks take several minutes or longer.
3. Persistent AI hallucinations: Occasionally generate inaccurate facts or fabricate non-existent source citations.
4. Unstable browser automation: Page operations may stall or fail mid-task, requiring full restarts.
5. Poor reliability for high-stakes planning tasks: Test runs for flight & hotel booking contained wrong flight numbers and high-speed rail schedule errors.

AutoGLM Rumination represents a landmark domestic AI Agent innovation. It pioneered the seamless fusion of deep research reasoning and automated browser operation, while opening full free public access. Users can experience the new workflow of assigning a complex task and letting AI complete the whole workflow independently.

Summary of Core Advantages

1. 100% free access, no payment or invitation code restrictions.
2. Dual core capabilities: simultaneous logical reasoning planning + automated browser operation.
3. Break API barriers to access closed platforms including Xiaohongshu and CNKI.
4. Fully domestically self-developed stack from base LLM to task execution model.
5. Wide cross-industry applicability covering industry research, academia, shopping, travel and more.

Critical Reminders

The product remains in Beta testing stage. Information accuracy, execution efficiency and task stability all require further iteration. Always manually verify all key conclusions for important work.

Usage Suggestion

New users are recommended to start with the lightweight web Rumination mode first to get familiar with core functions, then switch to the full-featured PC client AutoGLM version. It works best as an auxiliary tool for literature sorting, preliminary data collection and report outline drafting. Manual review and revision are mandatory for all critical decision-making materials and final deliverables.