SINGAPORE, July 9 -- The team behind Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) agent Manus has reportedly relocated its global headquarters to Singapore, fuelling speculation that the move was driven by a need to sidestep US export controls on advanced semiconductor chips.

Manus AI co-founder and chief product officer Zhang Tao confirmed the relocation during a keynote session at the SuperAI conference in Singapore last month, adding that the company also has offices in Tokyo and California.

"This company right now is headquartered in Singapore," South China Morning Post reported, quoting Zhang. The company's website also identifies Singapore as its global headquarters.

Originally developed in China by start-up Butterfly Effect, Manus gaine...